Category - radio 4 thought for the day

The 'Thought for the Day' debate

Lizzie Clifford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:56:19 +0000

This paper by Ekklesia researcher Lizzie Cifford looks into the background and history of BBC Radio 4's short 'Thought for the Day' (TftD) slot, as a precursor to a wider analysis of 'Thought for the Day' scripts which Ekklesia is currently embarked on. TftD has become a topic of public and media debate of late concerning the proposal that non-religious as well as religious voices should be heard on it. The paper seeks to reflect the range of viewpoints on TftD, as well as providing information about its development and presentation. It traces how the origins of TftD came in a context of BBC religious broadcasting which was originally viewed as ‘evangelistic and missionary’ and now has to adapt to a mixed-belief society, including humanists, atheists and those who see themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'. The paper describes how attempts at re-branding from the mid 1960s have been opposed by some in the Anglican Church and elsewhere as part of a concern about the withdrawal of the BBC from its position as a central broadcaster in what was seen as a ‘Christian country’. It also highlights how a number of other radio stations, in particular regional programmes, have output which is similar to TftD, but successfully include contributions from the non-religious, as well as ‘minority’ religions, raising further questions about why TftD itself has not followed suit. However, the aim of this paper is description rather than advocacy. Further research on the content of TftD will be published in the new year.

Lizzie Clifford

Don't confuse religion with spirituality, report suggests

Press Office — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:41:21 +0100

As the debate continues about the inclusion in BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day of those who are not from the major world religions, a new paper from the religious thinktank Ekklesia urges that spirituality should not be confused with religion

BBC may open up Thought for the Day slot

staff writers — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:30:53 +0100

Thought for the Day may finally be opened up to ‘minor’ religions and non-religious contributors after a number of campaigns for the two and a half minute section of the Today programme to be changed.

Hearing what children are saying

Jonathan Bartley — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:47:57 +0000

The whole point of the Children Society’s latest project was to hear what children were saying and to give them a voice, says Jonathan Bartley. But the world of adult decision-making does not really want to know.

The politics of Thought for the Day

Jonathan Bartley — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:29:59 +0000

Former presenter of Thought for the Day Jonathan Bartley lifts the lid on the politics behind Radio 4's prime time slot

BBC broadcasts Humanist Thought for the Day

staff writers — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:17:35 +0000

For the first time a Humanist has delievered a 'Thought for the Day' on BBC Radio 4. The broadcast however did not come as part of the BBC's flagship news programme, Today.

Thomas Moore responsible for Thought for the Day?

Jonathan Bartley — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:50:22 +0100

I have been mulling over the debate on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme at the end of last week, about whether humanists, agnostics, atheists, or others who do not subscribe to the major world religions, should be able to contribute to Radio 4's Thought for the Day slot.

Christian think tank calls for non-religious inclusion in Thought for the Day, The O Project, 21 April 2007

Press Office — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 23:22:08 +0100

Report on Ekklesia's call on the BBC to end its policy of not allowing non-religious contributors in it’s morning reflection slot ‘Thought for the Day.’

Including humanists and secularists in Thought for the Day, BBC Radio 4, 20th April 2007

Press Office — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:56:34 +0100

Ekklesia's director Jonathan Bartley suggests that those beyond the major world religio