4 Jul 2005 - TV turns to religion
There may be some good news for the Archbishop of Canterbury: broadcasters, led by Channel 4, are asking for more programmes about faith.
Just a fortnight after Rowan Williams put the issue of faith in the spotlight, it has emerged TV companies are focusing on the area as a rich seam to be mined for forthcoming programmes.
However, the move pre-dates Dr Williams' comments and some executives believe there will be a backlash against celebrity programming, with more viewers wanting to explore both religious and non-religious beliefs.
They say the rise of fundamentalism and terrorist groups such as al-Qaida means that the issue of faith is becoming more important than ever before.
Other beliefs, such as Scientology, are also becoming increasingly popular.
One source said: "September 11 made faith an issue in everyone's lives. It's a big area to be explored."
Channel 4 is understood to be in early talks with independent production companies, who have been charged with exploring the issue of secular and non-secular faith programming.
Its chief executive, Andy Duncan, also raised the issue of faith in a speech last week.
He told the audience he was a practising Christian "on what might be called the evangelical wing of the church", and said he would not have joined Channel 4 last year "if I felt the organisation, its culture, or the job itself, were in any way at odds with my Christian values".
Mr Duncan also said he believed in another kind of faith - the belief that television can be a force for good.
He said: "In order to do this job the only beliefs you really need are in the fundamental power of television to deliver a public service (to 'do good', if you like), and in your professional capacity to help achieve that potential. I don't need my Christian beliefs for that. But I find they help."
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "I am not aware of any new push to commission programmes about faith."
Source: MediaGuardian.co.uk
Just a fortnight after Rowan Williams put the issue of faith in the spotlight, it has emerged TV companies are focusing on the area as a rich seam to be mined for forthcoming programmes.
However, the move pre-dates Dr Williams' comments and some executives believe there will be a backlash against celebrity programming, with more viewers wanting to explore both religious and non-religious beliefs.
They say the rise of fundamentalism and terrorist groups such as al-Qaida means that the issue of faith is becoming more important than ever before.
Other beliefs, such as Scientology, are also becoming increasingly popular.
One source said: "September 11 made faith an issue in everyone's lives. It's a big area to be explored."
Channel 4 is understood to be in early talks with independent production companies, who have been charged with exploring the issue of secular and non-secular faith programming.
Its chief executive, Andy Duncan, also raised the issue of faith in a speech last week.
He told the audience he was a practising Christian "on what might be called the evangelical wing of the church", and said he would not have joined Channel 4 last year "if I felt the organisation, its culture, or the job itself, were in any way at odds with my Christian values".
Mr Duncan also said he believed in another kind of faith - the belief that television can be a force for good.
He said: "In order to do this job the only beliefs you really need are in the fundamental power of television to deliver a public service (to 'do good', if you like), and in your professional capacity to help achieve that potential. I don't need my Christian beliefs for that. But I find they help."
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "I am not aware of any new push to commission programmes about faith."
Source: MediaGuardian.co.uk