'Legal loophole' causes concern with UK broadcasters

WHAT IS seen as a "legal loophole", allowing an American Christian channel to make financial appeals on British TV, is causing concern among media commentators. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is now beaming into the UK 24 hours a day after obtaining a licence in Spain - which means it is not subject to Independent Television Commission guidelines on advertising, decency and fund raising. TBN Europe's programme output is listed on the SKY Digital programme guide alongside that of UK regulated Christian TV networks, such as God Digital.

Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said, "At the very time when Christian broadcasters are struggling for credibility and are seeking to build confidence with both the British regulatory bodies and the British public, it is singularly unhelpful that a US-based network should parachute into this setting. It will undoubtedly set back that relationship as the structures of accountability are bypassed.
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