New BBC guidelines on religion

Looks like we won't be hearing many more Mohammed jokes on the Beeb.

http://www.newstatesman.com/broadcast/2010/10/bbc-guidelines-religion

The BBC has further beefed up its guidelines on religion by stating that "any content dealing with matters of religion and likely to cause offence to those with religious views must be editorially justified and must be referred to a senior editorial figure".

Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said the new religion rules go to far: "Although we are not suggesting that contributors should go out of their way to be needlessly offensive, this is an entirely retrograde step that will put severe restrictions on comedians, documentary makers, satirists and commentators who want to be critical of religion.

What you think? You think good? You think bad?

I think that the BBC is making some serious errors, and we're going to see a shift in comedians and writers moving away from the Beeb in search of less restrictive pastures.

I think bad. Religion has far too many privileges and I think this new guideline will be abused by the religious who think that making jokes or criticising religion is out of the question. Which it isn't.

Jesus H. Christ What in the f**king name of God is going on at the BBC?

How can we avoid making jokes about religion, when it is so laughable?

Its the line about "causing offence to those with religious views" that worries me.

Will this be broadened out to include a whole host of subjects that people could get offended by? If not why not? Or is religion some king of....um...holy grail?

It's not like the BBC was the home of cutting edge comedy before this. Unless it was about swimmers looking like spoons.

Quote: bigfella @ October 15 2010, 4:53 PM BST

um...holy grail?

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Sacred cow.

The guidelines, which will be used only to protect the sensibilities of Muslims, are yet another step along the road to an Islamic Britain.

'What nonsense!' I hear you cry as the Taliban kicks down your front door.

At first I thought this was really bad news, but then I though maybe it's good news as any religious content will be caught up in red tape and might never be aired.

Quote: Ming the Mirthless @ October 15 2010, 6:42 PM BST

The guidelines, which will be used only to protect the sensibilities of Muslims, are yet another step along the road to an Islamic Britain.

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Yes, that is going to happen.

Quote: Marc P @ October 15 2010, 10:43 PM BST

Yes, that is going to happen.

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And I thought he was just talking balderdash!

If you put your ear to the ground you can hear Dave Allen spinning in his grave.

Quote: Timbo @ October 16 2010, 12:08 AM BST

If you put your ear to the ground you can hear Dave Allen Allah spinning in his grave.

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Edited in accordance with new BBC guidelines

A new wave in internet sitcom broadcasting, do we think? It seems like a more and more interesting medium every day new restrictions and scandals come out. Shame.