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TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SUBJECTS ON BRITISH RADIO AND TELEVISION

 

Current Affairs and Political Broadcasting

Although the principle of fair dealing applies to all types of programme, news programmes carry a special weight of responsibility because the public takes most of its information about events from broadcasting. It has been estimated that over half of the population regard television as their main source of news. News programmes comply with certain requirements, among them that all news, in whatever form, is presented with accuracy and impartiality. The broadcasting authorities must as a rule refrain from expressing an opinion on matters of public policy.

Both the BBC and the independent broadcasting companies provide programmes on current parliamentary issues and political topics of the day. When Parliament is in session, the BBC is obliged to broadcast an impartial, day-by-day radio account of the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament. Certain special occasions are broadcast live and recorded extracts of proceedings are used in many current affairs programmes by the BBC and the independent broadcasting companies.

 

WORD STUDY

I. Complete the sentences using a word formed from the word in brackets:

1. News programmes carry a special weight of (responsible).

2. News programmes comply with certain (require).

3. All news, in whatever form, should be presented with (accurate) and (impartial).

4. The BBC is obliged to broadcast a day-by-day radio account of the (proceed) in both Houses of Parliament. 

 

II. Put in the missing; words:

1. The principle of fair dealing applies ... all types of programme.

2. ... public takes most... its information about events ..  broadcasting.

3. The broadcasting authorities must refrain ... expressing an opinion ...  matters of public policy.

4. When Parliament is ... session, the BBC ... obliged, to broadcast ... day- by-day radio account ... the proceedings.

 

Religious Broadcasting

Present-day religious broadcasting is, in part, devoted to the discussion of major moral, social and, philosophical issues: in many cases agnostics, atheists and members of other beliefs participate in these discussions with Christians. Talks are also given by members of other religions. The usual time for religious broadcasting on television is on Sunday.

 

III. COMPREHENSION

Answer the questions:

1. Has religious broadcasting become part and parcel of our life?

2. What role can religious programmes play in the life of our society?