Toksvig joins calls to lift bar on humanists in Thought for the Day

SANDI TOKSVIG, inset, is among more than 30 figures who have called for BBC Radio 4 to make its morning slot, Thought For The Day, more diverse.

There have been calls to include non-religious contributors to the segment, in Radio 4’s Today programme, for several years.

Now a letter – also signed by philosopher Julian Baggini, comedian Ed Byrne and scientist and presenter Alice Roberts – has been published in The Guardian newspaper, calling on the BBC to lift the bar on humanists taking part.

The morning slot sees religious figures reflect on current events from a faith perspective.

The letter says: “It’s time for the BBC to open its flagship reflective slot, Thought For The Day, to humanists. Religion doesn’t hold a monopoly on ethical worldviews. There is another mainstream tradition, as old as religion, that has much to say on the ethical issues of our time – and that’s humanism.”

It adds: “By barring humanists from Thought For The Day, the BBC is blatantly failing its remit to reflect the diversity of beliefs of its audience and wider population, and its legal duty to

treat non-religious and religious beliefs equally.” Last year, a BBC report said the broadcaster should continue to air Thought For The Day.

In 2009, the BBC’s then governing body rejected complaints about a ban on nonreligious contributors. The BBC Trust said only allowing religious contributors on the slot did not breach either the BBC editorial guideline on impartiality or the broadcaster’s duty to reflect beliefs in its programming.