UCB meet with Government Broadcasting Minister

A MEETING between United Christian Broadcasters and Government Broadcasting Minister Janet Anderson on 23rd June was described as "constructive and encouraging". Said UCB's managing director Gareth Littler, "We encouraged the minister to take this opportunity to remove an unfair, unjust anomaly that excludes Christians from the broadcasting system, in the UK. We look forward to further meetings with the minister and I'm delighted that she responded favourably to the invitation from former Broadcasting Minister, Mark Fisher to visit UCB and look around the largest independent radio studio facilities in the UK outside of the BBC. We shall continue with our legal action in the European Court of Human Rights, while seeking to work with the minister to change the Law."

In accordance with the 1990 and 1996 Broadcasting Act, "religious bodies" are banned from applying for a national terrestrial radio licence. UCB believes this to be a breach of the UK's legal commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Currently, some 213,000 people are on the station's mailing list, and devotional aid, The Word For Today, goes out to 600,000. UCB currently operates two satellite radio stations, UCB Europe, broadcasting softer, inspirational music, and Cross Rhythms, playing contemporary pop, rock, R&B and dance music. CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.