'Legal loophole' causes concern with UK broadcasters
WHAT IS seen as a "legal loophole", allowing an American Christian channel to make financial appeals on British TV, is causing concern among media commentators. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) is now beaming into the UK 24 hours a day after obtaining a licence in Spain - which means it is not subject to Independent Television Commission guidelines on advertising, decency and fund raising. TBN Europe's programme output is listed on the SKY Digital programme guide alongside that of UK regulated Christian TV networks, such as God Digital.
Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said, "At
the very time when Christian broadcasters are struggling for
credibility and are seeking to build confidence with both the British
regulatory bodies and the British public, it is singularly unhelpful
that a US-based network should parachute into this setting. It will
undoubtedly set back that relationship as the structures of
accountability are bypassed.