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 PrintableVersion Radio choice: do we have one?More Christian radio?In Memphis, Tennessee (population 603,507) there are 14 AM and 22 FM radion stations including six Christian stations, from a preach/teach station to one playing contemporary Christian music. Throughout the world, from Australia to Zambia, people can listen to Christian programmes on ordinary portable radios. Here in Britain our choice of Christian radio broadcasting is restricted, unless you have a short wave radio or subscribe to satellite television. In most parts of the UK, outside London, there are only 11 or 12 radio services - five BBC national stations, one BBC local station, three national commercial stations and possibly two or three local commercial stations. None of those are Christian stations unless you are blessed to live in London or Stoke-on-Trent. Premier Christian Radio (1305/1332/1413 AM) started broadcasting to London in June 1995, and recently has had a battle to renew its broadcasting licence. The great news is that only Premier Radio applied for this Greater London AM licence and therefore, when the Radio Authority announce their decision, Premier should have the right to broadcast until July 2011. From the end of February, residents of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme have the additional choice of Cross Rhythms City Radio (101.8 FM). Their area has been chosen, as one of 15 sites, for a one-year trial for local community broadcasting called Access Radio. This is a new form of very local non-profit distributing radio. Cross Rhythms already runs a satellite radio station and have been involved in Christian youth work for a number of years. We are told that the range of radio listening will increase with digital radio, but if we look at what is actually offered on digital radio there is not the range of Christian music and programmes that is available in Memphis, USA. Certainly no stations playing songs from Anointed, AndrŽ Crouch, Delirious, Kim Hill, Matt Redman and Third Day. At present the only two bright lights in the UK terrestrial radio firmament are Premier and Cross Rhythms. Well, things may be changing. Recently the British Government invited responses from those who are interested in the future of broadcasting, communications and media ownership. The Government is proposing that a new Communications Act will become law in 2003. The Government asked whether all the restrictions on religious organisations holding broadcasting licences should be removed. Currently the ability of Premier Radio to broadcast is at the discretion of the broadcasting regulator, it is not a legal right. Already the Government has accepted that the disqualification that bans Premier Radio from broadcasting on digital radio is an anomaly and they are proposing to remove it. The Evangelical Alliance responded to the Government by saying, in order to help stimulate expansion by the British Christian broadcasting industry, that religious broadcasters should have the legal right, to hold the following licences for: * National digital (DAB) sound programme services Once Christian broadcasters have the right to broadcast they still can be subject to complaints from the public. Recently Premier Radio had some complaints from a group called the Mysticism and Occult Federation (with a total membership of 24) upheld against them. It would appear from the way that the complaints were adjudicated that the Radio Authority, through its own broadcasting codes, is deciding what can and cannot be discussed regarding religious beliefs, faith and biblical teaching. The freedom to broadcast perspectives on the family, matters of public policy, moral attitudes and the news does not belong only to the secular commentators. It must equally belong to those of us who have a religious faith. Christians, Jews, Muslims and other faith communities must all have a right to broadcast their points of view without the regulator imposing its own rules and agnostic standards, so long as there is no incitement to violence or hatred. Jesus showed a love and care for both the prostitute and the tax collector, without condemnation. Christian broadcasters do the same. Christians must lobby and pray for the new Communications Bill to give religious organisations the freedom to broadcast, as of right. We will then not only be able to hear Radio 4's Thought for the Day and the Sunday morning religious programmes on our local radio stations, but have the opportunity to win licences, without discrimination, for new 24-hour Christian radio stations. These stations will give us the ability to hear great Christian music and Christian points of view freely and fairly discussed without let or hindrance. J. Peter WilsonNotes: © Evangelicals Now - March 2002 |
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