BBC "Anti-Religious"

The BBC has a "pervasive anti-religious attitude" and displays uninformed, sensationalist approaches to religion, members of a House of Lords select committee considering the corporation’s future have said.

Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh broadcasters and others unleashed a barrage of criticism.

Evangelical Alliance General Secretary Revd Joel Edwards spoke of a "pervasive anti-religious attitude" and Dr Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad said TV drama represented religious believers stereotypically.

Although another member, Lord Preston, dismissed the claims of anti-religious bias he agreed the media was full of uninformed correspondents "trying to fluff their way through complicated matters".

Dr Mona Siddiqui said that the BBC was not doing enough to meet public hunger "for real debate" and to help people "know how religion makes a person tick".