Welcome to the Gweini Policy Submissions page. These include some of the submissions that Gweini has made since the year 2000. In reading them you will discover that there are certain common 'relational' themes that underpin Gweini's approach to sustainable development, economic development etc. We hope that you find these documents useful.

Evangelical Alliance Wales has concerns about the moral impact of casinos and recognise the harm that problem gambling and gambling addiction causes. Gambling affects the lives of millions – 72% of the population taking part in gambling activity in the previous year in a study published in 2000 - and yet we agree in particular with the objective in the Gambling Act to protect children and other vulnerable persons . Recently, doctors in Scotland warned that supercasinos could lead to a huge increase in gambling addiction. GamCare, the gambling addiction charity, similarly saw the referrals that it received from their help-line published in literature in bookmakers rise from 16.4% in 2004 to 19.5% in 2005.

• The presence of a casino would have a negative impact on the quality of life on the inhabitants of many people of the County. Because of the perceived connection with crime and disorder , being regularly highlighted in both the tabloid and broadsheet media, many residents’ happiness would be affected. We are in agreement with the point 5 of the draft Statement of Gambling policy document where an actual link is made between Licensed Premises and crime and disorder .

The presence of a casino in Ceredigion would be at odds with the image that it has as a family holiday destination and as a place to live. People often choose the County as a place to spend their holiday because of its tranquillity and rural beauty. Although links to crime and disorder are not true in every case, in people’s minds there is a link and thus the establishment of a casino would send the wrong signals to both the inhabitants of the County and people considering visiting or moving to the County. The mayor of Riga in Latvia has recently been in the news, criticising the behaviour (e.g. drunkenness) of many of the British tourists that have been coming to visit this historic city. The choice of European capitals as the location of stag weekends has been largely fuelled by low-cost air travel. The combination of rising air prices and the escalating cost of the average stag weekend could easily lead to a reversal in trends and to many more people opting to spend their stag weekends in UK resorts. The presence of a casino could easily be a determining factor. While a smaller element of the community would welcome the arrival of a casino, the impact on the vast majority would be negative.

• Because casinos are becoming more prevalent in the UK, and pressure may be ongoing to grant a license in the future, we would advocate that the Licensing Authority observe and study places in the UK, similar to Ceredigion demographically, that have been granted a license to see what the longer term affects are, both positive and negative. Research into gambling is still ongoing - the Gambling Commission, for example, will be publishing a report in 2007 on gambling’s prevalence . As we learn more about gambling, our decisions will be more informed; in the meantime, we would strongly advocate a cautious approach to granting licences. We strongly endorse and support Ceredigion Council’s inclination ‘ to prohibit casinos in the County’ .

The Alliance is aware of the responsibility of casinos and gambling institutions to educate their clients. We would advocate strongly that, where consideration – either now or in the future – is given to grant a licence for a casino, the Licensing Authority would be satisfied that the establishment has a practical and thorough programme for helping clients with gambling problems. Topics that would need to be covered would include:

• The provision of leaflets on display that include a help-line number and that covered relevant points to help people identify their problem.
• Training being given to staff to enable them to recognise problem gambling and gambling addiction.
• A strategy for developing networks within the community so that clients who are under stress will be able to access counselling services and/or agencies immediately.
• Demonstrating knowledge of other programmes that have been tried in other parts of the UK – e.g. the ‘self-exclusion’ policy operated by Gala Casinos .

In such a case, a steering group made up of relevant charities ought to be established in the area to both monitor the casino and to develop good working relationships with the management staff.

The comparatively low GDP of Ceredigion evidences that a casino in the County would have a detrimental effect on the local community. It is widely accepted that people from low income groups gamble proportionately more of their income than others and run a greater risk of developing into problem gamblers. The Evangelical Alliance has long argued that the burden and social cost of gambling falls hardest on those who can least afford it.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23366284-details/How+supercasino+'would+start+a+crime+avalanche'/article.do

i.e. the County’s compliance to the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in applying the Prevention of Crime and Disorder Objective when considering applications for Premises Licences

A letter written to Tony Blair and Peter Hain ahead of plans for the Sexual Orientation Regulations to pass into legislation on January 1st 2007, ahead of the rest of the UK.

Gweini, the Welsh word for serve , is a Christian charity that is actively involved in representing, networking and informing Christians working in the voluntary sector in Wales .

We value the recognition given in the Sexual Orientation Regulations to faith-based organisations and the attempt to be inclusive by providing exemptions in Clause 16. However, we feel strongly that a longer period of consultation is necessary, not least because the form of these regulations, when it comes into law, is likely to influence future legislation in the United Kingdom as a whole. The SOR raise some very important issues which, if not discussed and thought through properly, will lead to much time, effort and money being wasted as the courts encounter difficulty in attempting to enforce the regulations.

Under the previous Charities Act, religious organisations clearly qualified for charitable status under the advancement of religion category. While this gave churches undeniable benefits it was nevertheless inaccurate in that it limited the raison d’etre of the church, omitting the breadth of work carried out in service provision, the voluntary sector and social enterprise.

Under the new Charities Act, there is now the added onus that charities must exist for the public benefit . While many religious organisations will be able to demonstrate this immediately, the exemption clause for religious organisations in the SOR needs to reflect the true position of the church as an institution that is of public benefit and that is involved in a wide number of initiatives in society.

Because time spent in religious services only accounts, on average, for less than 2% of a Christian’s life, legislation covering his or her time spent in work and other activity is equally, if not more important.

There are at least 30 separate areas of key involvement of faith-based activities in Wales at present that are not religious services, of which the following are examples:

It cannot be overstated that these initiatives come from a Christian motive and are perceived by those involved as coming from, and being an expression of, their Christian faith.

Similarly, because of fierce competition for existing pots of funding and some, possibly unintentional, bias against them (see below), religious organisations are increasingly starting up Social Enterprise Companies as a means to generate finance for projects in which they have been unsuccessful in obtaining funding. Normally such projects do not have funding bids rejected because of lack of compliance to regulations but simply because there is not enough money for everyone.

Because of this, and because the lines between charitable work and commercial work are being increasingly blurred, thought needs to be given as to how SOR exemptions could be applied to religious organisations involved in commercial activity where the motive is to generate funding for charitable work.

Because the government needs the voluntary sector to provide services that it does not have the capacity to perform itself, it is important that faith-based organisations – an integral part of the voluntary sector in the UK – are given space to flourish and to grow in their work in the voluntary sector.

Many individuals working in Christian organisations do not yet have a sufficient grasp of the language needed in order to successfully access public funding. In Gweini, we talk frequently with constituents who have been unsuccessful in bids for funding and while we are able to offer advice on how to fill out application forms, there is also a widely-held belief that discrimination exists against faith-based initiatives in applying for such funding, which presents a further hurdle for Christians to overcome.

A Christian charity working in drug and alcohol rehabilitation had funding stopped two years ago despite strong support from Welsh Assembly Members and the local media. It was a widely-held belief amongst these supporters at the time that the charity’s Christian ethos had been the cause of the withdrawal of funding, despite subsequent denials by the funders.

Another organisation that was running a successful training programme in a Welsh prison was forced to cease its activities when a new Governor was appointed. The Christian ethos of the charity was understood to be the reason for the change in policy, although the outgoing Governor had been very satisfied with the results.

Because the landscape is still very new for churches working in the voluntary sector, churches need to be given time in order to develop ways of putting their convictions into practice and engaging with their communities in new ways.

The SOR are being rushed through, and many Christians have not been consulted on these issues which, to them are greater than areas of sexual orientation – they involve wider matters of conscience. The government needs to affirm its commitment to faith communities and to allow them to develop their engagement with the broader community in active citizenship.

While we acknowledge that faith communities have sometimes allowed unjustifiable discrimination to exist and for it to be couched in religious terms, religious organisations – especially where they have been successfully working in partnership with local government as service providers – must be allowed room to make decisions based on their freedom of conscience. Freedom to act and to bring their distinctive contribution should not be unnecessarily curtailed by hasty regulation.

At the very least a longer consultation period is recommended if not wholesale exemption for religious organisations as service providers to continue their work unabated.

While re-emphasising our appreciation that faith communities have been taken into consideration with exemptions in Clause 16, there is concern that the harassment regulations will nullify this. By defining harassment, within the context of the SOR, as violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or hostile environment, a very low threshold has been established which will inhibit religious liberty and freedom of speech. Furthermore, many Christian organisations may withdraw their service provision rather than being faced with the dilemma of being forced to comply with regulations that they consider excessive or being threatened with court action.

A letter written to Tony Blair, Ruth Kelly and Meg Munn asking for the Catholic church's adoption agencies to be granted an exemption from the SORs

We have been following the debate over the implementation of the SORs in England and Wales with both interest and concern.

While we welcome the principle of equality of opportunity for all people, we strongly recommend that the Catholic church be allowed an exemption from the SOR s for their adoption agencies.

Evangelical Alliance Wales is part of the UK Evangelical Alliance which provides a voice for the one million evangelicals in the UK while Gweini represents the Christian voluntary sector in Wales to the National Assembly for Wales and to Westminster

If the SORs go through without this exemption, one of the consequences will be the de-motivation of many Christians – and other faith communities - from further engagement in service provision. There has been a growing interest in such work in recent years and we receive inquiries on an ongoing basis from Christian individuals, churches and organisations about accessing funding for an extensive range of projects. There are also many excellent examples in Wales of existing works run by churches that, having already accessed funding, have partnered with local authorities and are providing services for their communities.

At this pivotal point in church history, and in the relationship between church and state, it is important that government legislation takes into account both the current desire and the relative inexperience of the church for engagement with civil society. It is our concern that many churches will withdraw their services and not consider future projects if they feel that their religious liberty is under threat.

The Department of Work and Pensions, in a press release issued this month, envisaged and welcomed faith communities playing an increasing role in public service provision in the years to come. Without due care and attention, the opposite will happen.

In a week that has seen reports in the media of Muslim youth being increasingly radicalised, it is important that the government be seen to be engaging with faith communities and respecting their religious liberty. The Christian church, with its history of service provision in the UK , is often seen as a barometer for other faiths and Christian engagement in public service will encourage other faiths to engage as well.

A perception amongst faith communities that the SORs are being rigidly and inflexibly applied and interpreted, not taking into account the diversity and breadth of opinion within Britain today, will lead many to think that their voice is not being heard and subsequently to further disengagement. Our diversity and sometimes differing world-views ought to be celebrated and respected.

The Christian motivation of William Wilberforce in his work leading to the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1807 serves as a poignant reminder of the sometimes undervalued role that religious conscience plays in British society.

ECSR was setup to support Christian organisations and individuals who work with asylum seekers and refugees throughout the UK . We network with secular and other religious groups to better serve our members.

In 2006, our work in Wales was evaluated and a strategic plan was put in place to develop ECSR’s effectiveness. Currently we have 9 members who support asylum seekers and refugees in Wales . They work in three of the four main regions, Swansea , Cardiff and Wrexham. At the latter part of 2006, ECSR became a member of a Welsh organisation, Gweini ( http://www.gweini.org.uk/ ) in view to develop our effectiveness in Wales . Through Gweini and the Evangelical Alliance Wales ( www.eauk.org ) we intend serving Refugee and Asylum Seeker projects in Wales .

We welcome the strategies set out with the aim to create a Welsh society that has refugees and asylum seekers participating and partnering in their communities. We have answered the questions from our experience in working with refugee and asylum seekers projects and faith groups. Please note that the term ‘refugee’ is used to include asylum seekers unless stated otherwise.

Given that resources are limited, what would be your two top priorities that would make a real difference to Refugee communities from within the strategy ?

How can the Welsh Assembly Government assist you to ensure that the recommendations in the Strategy are delivered?

How can we best ensure that the implementation of the recommendations is having an impact on therefugee communities?

Going Public, Vale of Glamorgan Romance Academy and Gweini's

Response to

Draft Quality Requirements for Sexual

Health Services in Wales

Jim Stewart Policy Director, Gweini

Going Public

Vale Romance Academy

October 2007

Introduction to Going Public

Going Public, a Cardiff-based charity, started its school work in 1992 under the banner of The Seduction Project. Since then it has traveled to schools all over the UK, with over 150,000 students having attended a presentation. Using a combination of drama, video, speech, games and discussion, The Seduction looks at the many pressures facing young people today in the whole area of sex and sexuality. Among the issues it tackles are the media, peer pressure and self worth. The presentation has received acclaim from pupils, teachers, head-teachers, governors and parents alike.

For more information go to www.goingpublic.org.uk

Introduction to the Vale Romance Academy

The Romance Academy is a fifteen-week project specifically designed for teenagers. Based on a Christian ethos, the project looks at sex, relationships & love, among other topics such as the media, alcohol and drugs.

There have been 13 Academies held in the UK since 2004. The first two held in Wales in 2006, in Penarth and Dinas Powys, received much acclaim from the Welsh media, participants and parents. The third, the Vale Romance Academy, begins in November 2007.

For more information go to www.valeromanceacademy.org.uk

Draft Sexual Health Services Quality Requirements

Cover sheet for responses to consultation

Name: Jim Stewart

Job title: Policy Director, Gweini

Contact details:

Tel No: 02920 22 98 22

Email: j.stewart@eauk.org

Are you responding as an individual?

If no, on behalf of which organisation are you responding?

On behalf of Gweini, the Vale Romance Academy & Going Public.

If you are responding on behalf of your organisation how were the views of your colleagues ascertained?

I send out a fortnightly Gweini Post email service to over 500 people in Wales who are involved in the voluntary sector. In the 31/08/07 edition, I alerted readers to this Consultation and invited interested parties to send me an email.

In September, I arranged a meeting with leaders from Going Public and the Vale Romance Academy – two organisations with a Christian ethos that teach widely in the area of sexual health – to discuss the consultation and to submit a joint response. Both teach to a wide range of young people, both within Wales’s faith communities and to those outside.

Alison Jensen and Cath Evans came on behalf of Going Public, with Naomi Roberts and Nathan Scott-Cook representing the Vale Romance Academy. Each one plays an active role in their organisation and is thus able to make informed comments on the consultation document. With all of us having read the document prior to the meeting, we proceeded to systematically work through the questions, identifying areas of agreement and disagreement.

Also present was Matthew Rees, a committed Christian who has just finished his A-levels and who is taking a gap year, working both with Gweini and with his church.

I drafted up the notes and submitted them to everyone in attendance for their perusal and to make any amendments.

Draft Sexual Health Services Quality Requirements

Specific questions……

I. Sexual Health Networks

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

The idea of a network is good
What about school work? Is there awareness of services that enhance sexual health that are taught in schools?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Faith communities would like to be involved and take part. Have they been approached? Is there awareness of what faith communities are doing in this area?
Contact national groups like Evangelical Alliance, Cytun, Gweini and the Inter-faith Forum for their contacts; meet with Going Public & Romance Academy

II. Sexual Health Promotion

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

The media often play a negative role in the sexual wellbeing of young people and adults (e.g. lack of good role models, adults behaving like teenagers). What is being done to combat this?
Is there a strong enough emphasis on the emotional wellbeing of young people and adults?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

How is this evaluated? The term ‘culturally appropriate’ is subjective and can mean different things to different people.

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Highlight in a non-judgmental way the damage that can be done by making wrong decisions

III. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

In total agreement but need to address the emotional consequences of relationships

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Going into schools can assist achieving this aim; commissioning organisations who work in schools to provide services to reduce STIs

IV. Contraceptive Services

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

Are faith communities included? They can provide a supportive environment and community for girls with unwanted pregnancies and those suffering from STIs. How wide a range of counseling services are there? Are the variety of options available highlighted in the counseling?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Establish a database of faith communities throughout Wales, by liaising with umbrella bodies and known organisations who are service providers in this field and related fields

V. Abortion Services

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

Is counseling for the long-term implications of abortion available?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Need to look holistically at the wellbeing of the individual, including spiritual and emotional wellbeing.

VI. HIV and AIDS

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

Bridges need to be built with faith communities – people suffering from HIV and AIDS often seek spiritual support and faith communities are uniquely able to respond to these needs. Build up a network of faith communities that have had experience in supporting people suffering from HIV and AIDS

VII. Psychosexual Services

Have we omitted any key area? Will the requirement achieve the aim?

Is there engagement with the Voluntary Sector to provide these services? Is enough emphasis being placed on emotional wellbeing?

Is any of the content inappropriate/inaccurate?

Have you any suggestions for improvement?

General questions……

I. Do you agree with the seven requirements selected?

Not embracing enough, a sense that there needs to be an acknowledgement that there are a wider range of options, covering physical, emotional, spiritual & mental wellbeing

II. If implemented will they promote improvement in sexual health?

Hopefully

III. Do the requirements promote equality of access and quality of services across Wales?

They try to but there will be the reality of better services in the cities than in the rural areas. This needs to be addressed owing to higher numbers of young people from Eastern Europe relocating to rural parts of Wales

IV. Do the requirements reflect the minimum level of service you would like to provide/have provided?

V. Will the requirements be useful to users of the services?

VI. Will the requirements be useful to commissioners and service providers?

Yes, but those outside of the network, service providers from faith communities for example, will be at a disadvantage

VII. What support would you require in their implementation?

VIII. Additional comments

BBC Producer’s Guidelines- Points of Interest for Christians.

(Writing in bold has been quoted directly from the BBC Producer’s Guidelines.)

(headings in red should co-inside with the headings from the producers guidelines.)

Chapter 2- Impartiality and Accuracy

‘All BBC programmes and services should be open-minded, fair and show respect for the truth.’

‘The BBC is committed to providing programmes of great diversity which reflects the full range of audiences’ interests, beliefs, and perspectives’ (be this sport, entertainment, comedy or religion….)

The BBC may…. ‘Choose to test or report one side of a particular argument. However, it must do so with fairness and integrity. It should ensure that opposing views are not misrepresented.’

News: ‘News programmes should offer viewers and listeners an intelligent and informed account of issues that enables them to form their own views.’

Personal View Programmes: The BBC sees it as very important that a ‘wide range of individuals or groups offer a personal view or advance a contentious argument.’ This of course should include Christians. The BBC believes that this is very important as it can ‘add significantly to public understanding especially when they bring forward unusual and rarely heard perspectives on topics that are well-known from Orthodox points of view.’ (Evangelical Christianity: Rarely heard and Orthodox Point of view?)

Right of Reply: ‘When a programme reveals evidence of iniquity or incompetence, or where a strong, damaging critique of an individual or institution is laid out, there is a presumption that those criticised be given a fair opportunity to respond.’

Chapter 3- Fairness and Straight Dealing

Dealing with Contributors: ‘Contributors should be treated honestly and with Respect.’

A contributor should know in advance if asked to debate on a certain issue the range o views being represented and wherever possible who the other participants will be. They should also be told why they were contacted to be a contributor and what the programme is about.

The BBC do not normally allow contributors to see the finished work before it is aired, but if they do wish to do so they can contact the BBC in writing, The Editorial Policy will then advise on each separate case.

Research: Research Agencies will sometimes advertise in order to get contributors, but this is often a last resort. People who become contributors through adverts will then be ‘checked extremely thoroughly.’

Chapter 6- Taste and Decency

‘The BBC is required in the Agreement associated with its charter not to broadcast programmes which include anything which offends against good taste or decency….’
The BBC does remember while saying the above: ‘People of different ages, convictions and cultures may have sharply differing expectations.’
‘Programme makers should not offend thoughtlessly or through ignorance…’
While the BBC is careful not to offend different people it also is careful not to compromise or alter ‘other key BBC values, such as impartiality, accuracy for the truth, which the BBC will seek to apply equally to all parts of the world.’
‘In the United Kingdom, research suggests that while people have become more relaxed in recent years about the portrayal of Sex and sexual humor they remain concerned about the depiction of violence. The use of strong language also divides audiences and can be particular a source of offence on the internet.’ What does this mean for us as Christians if the BBC seems to condone the portrayal of Sex and sexual humor as ‘ok’ with the British public?
What appears before the watershed is important for Christians. The time in which certain things are on means that parents know when they’re children are going to be exposed to these things. It also can help to prevent children seeing these things prematurely.
Important point: ‘What is commonplace in cinema, video, computer programs or on the internet will not necessarily be appropriate for BBC television, radio or online services.
The Watershed: This is before 9. The earlier it is before 9 the more likely it is that a child could watch the programme on his/her own. However, the BBC expects parents to share the responsibility for assessing whether or not individual programmes should be seen by a younger viewer.
There are two sides to the argument of the Watershed. 70% of houses in the UK does not have children while on the other hand on weekends and holiday time many children stay up later than 9pm, especially if there’s a programme which would be of interest to a child. With this argument the question is raised that as Christians do we see a need to ask the BBC for a change in the Watershed? At the moment the Watershed starts at 9 and finishes at 5:30am. Do children sometimes watch the TV? before 5:30pm if they wake early?
Radio: On the radio ‘Djs share with parents a special responsibility when live broadcasting is listened to by audience with a high proportion of young people or children.
If music is a ‘genuine expression of popular culture’ then it can be played on the radio after the watershed whatever its contents.
The BBC in Television, Radio and the Internet services must comply with ‘The European Council Television without Frontiers Directive 1997 article 22.1’ This directive demands that the BBC does not include any programmes that would ‘impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors…..’ It also demands that the BBC uses ‘acoustic’ or ‘visual’ warnings to alert viewers to any programmes which have the above in it. This is the absolute minimum that the BBC has to do.
International Audiences: ‘Particular care may be needed to be taken when dealing with religious beliefs which form a central part of society’s culture or its political or legal system.’ Is this the same with Christianity within the UK?
Language: ‘Programme makers should be aware that terms of racist abuse are now considered to be offensive by all sections of the audience.’
With language such as ‘Jesus Christ’ or ‘God’ or of the names ‘held holy by other faiths’ programme makers ‘must be satisfied that their inclusion can be justified despite the distress that may be caused.’
‘The most offensive language should not be used on television before 9pm and after 9pm it should only be used following careful consideration.’
Religious Sensibilities: ‘Language must be used sensitively and accurately and be consistent in our description of different religion.’
‘Blasphemy is a criminal offence in the UK and advice should be sought, through heads of Department or Commissioning Executives, from editorial policy and lawyers in any instance where the possibility of blasphemy may arise.’
Sex: The BBC see’s that Sex will always be a part of both drama and factual programmes because of the ‘important part it plays in most people’s emotions and experience. In this, as in most areas of taste, public attitudes have shifted over time.’ Although they also realize that ‘sensitive handling can help prevent the most delicate of subjects from causing widespread offence’
‘Sensationalism should be avoided and extremes of sexual behavior should not be presented as the norm.’ ‘We must draw the line well short of anything that might be labeled obscene or pornographic.’
‘Research suggests that in Britain audiences are becoming more tolerant of the portrayal and discussion of homosexuality….nevertheless, programme makers should be mindful that a significant part of the audience is critical of any depiction of homosexual acts.’
Comedy: When the producer makes a programme the BBC insists that stereotyping needs judging with care. ‘If a comedy conveys a sense of superiority or prejudice it ha one too far.’

Chapter 7- Violence

‘It is clear that screen violence does upset many people and, in excess, it can be accused of desensitizing viewers.’
There are a few things that producers while creating programmes should consider when it comes to violence: ‘Whether the violence is appropriate within it’s context, the impact of violent episodes on the viewers at home seeing them for the first time, the cumulative effect if programmes containing violence are scheduled close together, or if the programme is to be repeated frequently.’
The use of violence in BBC programmes should never be ‘gratuitous’ instead producers should ask themselves whether the violence is ‘essential to the story.’
Programme makers should be careful when creating programmes which contain violence which involves situations close to the audience’s own experience , domestic and sexual violence, scenes where women and children are portrayed as victims, scenes of extreme sustained violence, scenes containing the approval of violence or scenes containing suicide or attempted suicide.
Children: It is important that care is taken in order to make sure that violence is not seen as a ‘how to do it guide’ especially if children are watching. Because of this the BBC have a rule that extra care must be taken in order to make sure children do not see violence as something to imitate or that the consequences real-life violence can be concealed.

Chapter 8- Imitative and Anti-Social Behavior

Children: Smoking and drinking in children’s programmes should generally be avoided. It is advisable to discourage smoking and drinking by pop stars, actors and others who are admired by children when they appear in interviews for television. No violence which is unusual etc should be allowed.
Suicide: The BBC does no want any programme maker to ‘overemphasize the ‘positive’ results of a person’s suicide.’ In a factual programme suicide should always be treated in an informed and sensitive way.
Drugs: It is necessary when making a programme which includes the use of illegal drugs to make clear the ‘legal and social context for a full understanding of the story.’

Chapter 9- Portrayal

‘It’s (BBC) domestic services should aim to reflect and represent the composition of the nation.’ As Christians to do we feel as though the BBC represent us in what they show?
‘BBC Programmes and services should reflect and draw on this diversity to reflect life as it is.’ Is it fair enough that they show what they show on the BBC then, if in fact the BBC’s purpose is to show ‘life as it is’ in 21^st centaury Britain?
‘The BBC is not in the business of social engineering’ and so the BBC does not try and manufacturing a society that does not exist.
Portrayal of Religious Groups: ‘Particular groups or factions should not be portrayed as speaking for their faith as a whole.’ This means that the BBC should seek to involve Christians from other denominations apart from the institutional church in interview etc.

Chapter 23- Coverage of the National Lottery

‘Lottery programming should not be specifically aimed at children under 16.’
There is not reference to the fact that the BBC should not advertise gambling ( the lottery) because of moral obligations, it only refers to the fact that the BBC may not advertise the lottery ( gambling) because of it’s role as the BBC.

Chapter 30- Social Action Programming, Campaigning Groups and Charities.

Social Action Programming: ‘In particular we (the BBC) must take care to ensure that politicians and lobbyists do not use the BBC programme setting or brands for political advantage.’ That is that groups, agencies, organizations or politicians themselves do not get on the ‘band wagon’ of social action programming the BBC are running in order to gain advantage or influence.
Campaigning groups: In order to protect them the BBC ensures that it does not ‘get involved with campaigning programming which is politically contentious. Programmes should not embrace the agenda of a particular campaign or campaigning groups objectively.’

Appendix

Further points of interest for Christians taken from the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines

(which did not appear in the Producer’s Guidelines.)

Chapter 8: Harm and Offence

Language: ‘Offensive language is one of the most frequent causes of complaint. It can be a particular source of offence in sub-titles or online.’
‘Any proposal to use the most offensive language….must be referred to and approved by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor and the relevant output controller for television, radio, online and any other service. Chief Adviser Editorial Policy may also be consulted.’
Exorcism, the occult and the paranormal:’ We must act responsibly when including material looking at any aspect of exorcism, the occult, the paranormal, divination or any related practices, particularly in pre-Watershed programmes, on radio when children are particularly likely to be listening or in online content likely to appeal to a high proportion of children. Demonstrations of such practices in factual programmes must be treated with due objectivity and in entertainment programmes they must be clearly labelled. Also they should not normally contain advice about health, finance, employment or relationships which could encourage people to make life changing decisions.’

Chapter 12: Religion

‘We will ensure that the beliefs and practices of the great world faiths are described accurately and impartially.’ Does this include the different beliefs within a religion, i.e. Evangelical / non-Evangelical?
The BBC makes it clear that although they believe it is important that all the faiths are covered within the BBC, the time they are given ‘should not be used to recruit.’

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