BBC religion coverage is a mess, says Radio 4 host

THE BBC’s religious coverage is a ‘mess’ because its liberal staff are dangerously out of touch, one of the Corporation’s own presenters has claimed.

Roger Bolton, who hosts Feedback on Radio 4, warned that the BBC’s workers do not realise how important religion is to many of its viewers.

Mr Bolton said: ‘[The BBC has] a predominantly young workforce, which is more liberal and secular than the rest of the country.

‘It is dangerously out of touch, not least with immigrant communities, whose faiths are central to their lives.’

Writing in Anglican newspaper the Church Times, Mr Bolton said: ‘Are you confused by the BBC’s strategy for covering religion? You should be: the BBC is.

‘There are real doubts about whether it has the will or ability to implement an effective response to a mess that is largely of its own making.’

Ofcom told the broadcaster last week that it must air at least 115 hours of new religious programming a year.

However, a BBC spokesman defended its religious output, saying: ‘Who’s doing more than the BBC on religion? If you look around I think you’ll find the answer is no one.’