BBC and STV agreement strained after claim that STV breached O'Brien interview embargo
The news resource sharing agreement between STV and BBC Scotland maybe strained as the BBC has claimed that its commercial rival at Pacific Quay broke an embargo to run an interview with Cardinal Keith O’Brien earlier today. The embargo, which is also thought to have also included Sky News, was set for 5pm, however STV [...]
BBC's coverage of religion, immigration and Europe to be scrutinised in review
The BBC’s coverage of religion, immigration and Europe is to be scrutinised in an independent review led by former ITV chief executive Stuart Prebble. Lord Patten, the BBC Trust chairman, said on Wednesday that the review – first announced in August – was prompted by complaints that the corporation’s coverage of world and religious events [...]
Lord Steele puts media in the firing line
The media was in the firing line from Lord Steel who returned to Linlithgow for a lecture at the Burgh Halls. Lord Steel of Aikwood, first presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament and former son of the Manse at St Michael’s Parish Church highlighted the “steady coarsening of the public media”, in the second of [...]
Alex Salmond to make Chariots of Fire available to every school in Scotland
A new edition of the film Chariots Of Fire, which tells the story of runner Eric Liddell, will be made available to every school in the country. First Minister Alex Salmond said: “From next term we are making sure that every schoolchild in Scotland can learn more about the achievements of Eric Liddell. “We have [...]
Free Church of Scotland bears witness on social media with Facebook advert
As Christian denominations face dwindling congregations and an increasingly secular society, one church has turned to Facebook to spread the Word. The Free Church of Scotland has defied its reputation for scepticism towards modernity by launching an advert on the social networking website. The notice, inviting users to sign up to the Church’s official Facebook [...]
Dutch back Christian rival to 50 Shades of Grey
As 50 Shades of Grey hits record breaking figures again this week, many Christians have expressed strong feelings against the book. But now one Dutch publisher thinks it’s found an alternative from the Christian genre that’s just as edgy, writes Jo Pountney at Christian.co.uk. This week 50 Shades of Grey took over from Dan Brown’s [...]
Frankie Boyle faces questions over £900,000 tax dodge
Foul-mouthed Frankie Boyle, 39, could not resist lampooning fellow comedian Jimmy Carr after it emerged he used an off-shore scheme to pay as little as 1 per cent income tax. But close examination of Boyle’s own tax arrangements reveal that he may also be the beneficiary of sharp – but entirely legal – accountancy practices [...]
New film challenges anti-Christian 'IndoctriNation' in public schools
As the 2012 presidential race begins to draw public attention, a new film seeks to bring education to the forefront of public debate. ‘IndoctriNation: Public Schools and the Decline of Christianity in America’ (view trailer), a documentary that explores the origins and social impact of America’s public school system, will be released on DVD October [...]
Reality check: has the BBC dropped the terms BC/AD?
There were reports on Sunday that the BBC is replacing AD and BC – Anno Domini (the year of Our Lord) and Before Christ – with “Common Era” and “Before Common Era”, writes Polly Curtis. University Challenge, presented by Jeremy Paxman, and Radio 4′s In Our Time, hosted by Melvyn Bragg, are said to be [...]
Same-sex marriage 'is really an assault on the church'
The furious reaction to church leaders defending marriage show that same-sex marriage is not about gay rights, it is about attacking the church, an editor of a Scottish national newspaper says. Kevin McKenna says he has been shocked by the vitriolic reaction to Roman Catholic church leaders who have simply defended the traditional definition of [...]
