Attitudes vis-à-vis des émissions religieuses

Religious programmes are not especially popular, though some enjoy a large audience of older viewers and listeners. Research suggests that most people remain in favour requiring broadcasters to devote air time to religion. Survey respondents typically justify this opinion on the grounds that religion is an important source of moral values, brings comfort to the old and sick, and needs to be understood in a multi-cultural society. A study commissioned by Ofcom in May 2005 found that "religious broadcasting was perceived to have been so poor, and audience figures so low that there was therefore some need for protection" !

The same study asked focus groups about programmes that were intended to spread religious views or seek recruits. Very strong feelings were expressed "about how religious and faith based television should be used for sharing beliefs, not setting one set of beliefs over another or trying to persuade viewers and listeners to join that faith. … Hence, they tended to react violently, disbelievingly and very, very negatively to the suggestion that this could be allowed."

The typical attitude is thus that religious broadcasting is desirable, though mainly for other people, and at the same time that vulnerable individuals (e.g. children, the elderly, the lonely and the depressed) should be protected from any assertive or evangelical presentation of religion. There is a consensus that programmes should be fair minded in treating different religious views.