A High Court judge has upheld a ban on a Christian radio advert, ruling that it was “directed to a political end.”
The proposed advert for Premier Christian Radio quoted research suggesting that 60% of Christians believed that members of their faith were becoming increasingly marginalised in the workplace.
The advert also asked listeners for information on their own experiences of discrimination, as Premier Radio wanted to collect data in order “to help make a fairer society.”
Ruling
The advert was originally stopped from being aired in 2010 by the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC), which claimed that it breached the provisions of the 2003 Communications Act, which prohibits advertising of a “political” nature.
Its decision was challenged in legal proceedings brought by London Christian Radio Ltd, the owners of Premier, who described the advert as "just about the most inoffensive proposed ad one could hope to get".
However, Mr Justice Silber agreed with the RACC’s decision and found that the advert was “political” and attempted "to try to make changes to society.”
The Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, surprisingly intervened to ask the High Court to uphold the RACC’s ruling.
“Totalitarian State”
Peter Kerridge, chief executive of London Christian Radio, commented that the court’s decision was “wholly reminiscent of a totalitarian state."
He added: "Our application was dismissed because we planned to inform the public debate and help make a fairer society.
"The decision represents a direct threat to the democratic right to freedom of speech and we intend to continue the fight through the appeal process.”
Lawyers for Premier said: "The advertisement was not a political message but a request for information which could then be used as part of the normal democratic process, where ideas and views are expressed in public discussion, contradicted, answered and debated."
London Christian Radio is intending to challenge the High Court’s decision in the Court of Appeal.
Comment
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The advert was intended to raise public awareness and gather vital information on the growing intolerance towards Christian beliefs in the workplace.
“It is vital that this issue is debated openly, as many ordinary Christians have lost their jobs or been penalised in some way at work because they wanted to remain faithful to their Christian beliefs.
“Freedom of belief has been deeply undermined in recent years and this trend must be reversed.”
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