Ofcom censures Premier Christian Radio for mayoral election ad
Back in May MWW reported on the alleged censoring of a Christian mayoral candidate’s election broadcast by the BBC and ITV.
As it turned out, Alan Craig, the candidate in question, subsequently lost his case against the BBC because he had raised no objection to the cuts at the time, preferring instead to squeal about it after the broadcast. At this point, it dawned on everyone that the whole thing was just an election stunt.
This suspicion has been confirmed by the news that Ofcom has judged (PDF) Premier Christian Radio (the main instigators of the anti Jerry Springer: the Opera campaign) to be “in breach” for a trailer for The Politics Show about the Alan Craig case.
Introduced by “Macho” George Hargreaves (who, among other things believes the Welsh flag is satanic), the trailer went like this:
Alan Craig, the Christian People Alliance and Christian Party’s candidate for
London Mayor has seen ITV force him to re-write comments in his party
election broadcast about a radical Muslim group. Join me George Hargreaves
on The Politics Programme on Genesis TV and Revelation TV on Wednesday
30 April at 9pm when we ask the question: ‘Has the Christian People Alliance
and Christian Party’s mayoral candidate, Alan Craig, been a victim of political
censorship gone bad and political correctness gone mad?’
Ofcom judged this to show “undue partiality” to Craig, and to present him as a victim of unjust treatment.
Strange that these Christians should seek to dishonestly create and exploit a victimhood scenario in order to try to gain political advantage. Presumably they think that’s what Jesus would have done.
It’s common for a court case to be more about raising publicity, sadly that how the world works today! In this case it was publicity for a TV show that sounds bonkers! Particularly as it seems to be presented by “Make me a Christian” Rev Hargreaves, if he hosted it is was bound to be entertaining. Is it available on DVD?
On a serious point I’m not sure how much Craig was a victim or not, it’s hard to tell. But the BBC were asking for the words to be changed which is a bit odd. Why can’t people raise questions about Tablighi Jamaat?
I have been writing about Christians transforming culture at – Faith and Facts. We must overcome cultural Christianity and influence not only the church but also politics, media, news, etc.
It sounds like this buy was not following Christian principles at all.
Glad I found your blog. I will be back.
Blessings.