I think religion should be broadcast over the media, as it is a way of making others aware and understand people’s beliefs. I feel that if religion is broadcast it should not favour or state that one religion is true. It should be sensitive to all religions.
Compared to the amount of time that given to other programmes only a small proportion of time is given to directly religious programmes, and the time given is usually only on a Sunday or at various times during the year when there are special celebrations (Christmas, Easter etc.) The programmes are hardly ever shown during peek –viewing time, they are mostly on late at night (many discussions are held at this time.) Terrestrial TV channel owners are only interested in achieving the most viewers, and as today’s audience is only vaguely religious, religious programmes are not of interest to most of the population. Two programmes that are shown on terrestrial TV channels are the ‘Heaven and Earth show’ and ‘Songs of praise’. They are both shown on BBC 1.
The ‘Heaven and Earth’ show is shown on a Sunday morning. This programme must have a dedicated audience who actively seek to watch it, because it is positioned between two serious programmes, one about Sunday papers and the other about antiques. As it is on at 10am in the morning, the audience may be people who want to find out how religion effects issues in people’s life rather than being people who have already established a religion in their lives and are churchgoers, as most churchgoers would be at a morning service at this time. It is an overtly religious programme aimed at a vaguely religious audience. This is a religious issue chat show presented by Alice Beer and Ross Kelly, sitting on a sofa in a studio. The show has a magazine style format, with short topical features. Guest speakers and celebrities are interviewed to express the range of views they may have. The celebrities make the programme more interesting and more appealing (attractive) to a range of viewers. As a range of views are given this programme is non-confessional. No faith is said to be the true or correct faith. It is objective. This programme is not for one religion it is pluralistic. It is sensitive to all religions and does not offend one faith. The viewers are able to get involved as there is a phone in, email address and website, where they can express their personal view (belief) on the issue/s being raised.
‘Songs of praise’ is another overtly religious show that is shown on a Sunday, but at a later time of 5:30pm. Both the ‘Heaven and Earth show’ and ‘Songs of Praise’ are shown on the Christian day of worship. ‘Songs of Praise’ is a confessional programme specifically produced so that those of a Christian faith are able to worship along side joining in with the hymns, as hymn sub-titles are displayed. As the viewers are able to join in with the worship, it is a good programme for those who are unable to get to church. Unlike the ‘Heaven and Earth show’, this programme is aimed at committed religious people who accept all traditional Christian beliefs. This programme is set in many different areas, but always in a Christian place of worship, unlike the studio setting of the ‘Heaven and Earth show’. Just as the ‘Heaven and Earth show’ uses celebrities so does this programme, making it have an important feel and popular. ‘Songs of Praise’ is not pluralistic, but it is ecumenical. It has been written for a range of churches, being sensitive to the belief of each church. This programme has used contemporary and traditional forms of worship making the programme appeal across generations. In this programme there are a few short human interest stories from ordinary people on how faith has helped or touched their life. These short documentaries explore topical Christian issues.
I prefer the ‘Heaven and Earth show’, to ‘Songs of Praise’ as you are able to get more involved with the issue in discussion and it is left up to you to decide which belief you feel is correct, as a range of beliefs are shown. I think the ‘Heaven and Earth show’ has a future, because there are becoming less and less committed religious people.