The Archbishop of York has lamented the state of BBC religious programming, believing there is an “appalling lack of religious literacy” at the corporation.
Most Rev Stephen Cottrell expressed his concern that faith has been sidelined across the broadcaster’s content, despite it being a “precious bulwark against polarisation” in society.
The Church of England’s second most senior bishop was speaking in a discussion about the BBC’s charter renewal.
He told the Religion Media Centre briefing that religious broadcasting had become a “poor and underfunded relative” at the BBC, and also questioned the wider approach of the corporation to faith.
Archbishop Stephen said: “My concern is much more about the place of religion across the whole output of the BBC, rather than simply seeing it as religious broadcasting in that rather more narrow definition.
“So I note with sadness and some distress the sometimes appalling lack of religious literacy in so much of the BBC.”
Archbishop Stephen set out a response to the “distressing polarisation of our society at the moment, the echo chambers within which people live and receive news and information.”
“I know it’s a hard thing to fight for, religious broadcasting and public service broadcasting, but I believe it is a precious bulwark against polarisation, intolerance, prejudice, chaos,” he said.
Roger Bolton, a former BBC broadcaster, told the briefing that there had been an 85% fall in the volume of original UK-produced content on religion and ethics, at peak-time on all public service broadcasting platforms between 2011 and 2022.
Songs of Praise, the longest-running religious programme on television, has been broadcast on the BBC since 1961. Other religious programming includes Sunday and Thought for the Day on Radio 4.
A BBC spokesperson told The Telegraph: “The BBC delivers an unrivalled range of ambitious, timely and thought-provoking religion and ethics content across TV, radio and online. The BBC is responsible for the vast majority of the UK’s religious programming – far exceeding, by our own choice, what we are required to do.
“Our programming not only represents faith and world beliefs, but includes a wide range of perspectives, including those who are agnostic or atheist. It recognises the vital role religion, faith and beliefs play in connecting communities and in helping people to understand the beliefs of others.”