For this assignment I have decided to analyse and explain the way in which religious themes have been dealt with in the media.

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Sohail Bhamjee                26/11/2002

RELIGION & THE MEDIA

(a)

(i)        For this assignment I have decided to analyse and explain the way in which religious themes have been dealt with in the media.

For the first part of my coursework I will be discussing the variety of specifically religious programmes on the five main

television channels, and explaining in which a moral issue has been dealt with in a soap opera, and I will also be looking at a

religious theme which concerns Christians in a film or a television drama.

        The most popular specifically religious programmes is BBC 1’s “Songs Of Praise”. Audiences of between 5 and 7 million are attracted

every Sunday in the Godslot time around 6 in the evening. The godslot is a certain time in which programmes dedicated to religion

and god are broadcasted. As well as hymn singing, there is also some sort of inspirational music performances. Ordinary people also

contribute to the show by adding human interests stories about how faith has changed their lives. This is similar to chat shows and

interviews but related more to religious faith.

        During ITV’s Sunday morning godslot, an entire Christian service is broadcasted live from a church. This appeals to those who are unable to get to church as it provides worship for them. ITV also shoe magazine type programmes late on Sunday evening such as

“Sunday Night” and “Holy Smoke”. These are religious programmes aimed specifically for under 25’s which are broadcasted around

midnight.

Channel 5 usually has programmes on Sunday morning between 8am to 9pm. This is a programme called “Alpha Zone” which is about the

religious music scenes and there is also a programme called “My Sunday” which is also shown at a similar time. “My Sunday”

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emphasizes on the faith of people in the public eyes.

        

        As well as religious programmes of worship documentaries are the most popular broadcasts. This is probably due to the fact that the format differs to ordinary programmes. Documentaries appear not to the religious but also to the other faiths around the world who

are interested in the issues talked about in the programme.

        BBC I has a religious documentary between 10.30 and 11.30 pm every Sunday which is called “Everyman”. This programme tends to use

mainly film clips. This documentary usually attracts an audience of around 2 ...

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