Actions of United Kingdom Television Regulators in Danger of Breaching European Convention Law

October 7, 2005

(Strasbourg, France)-- ECLJ, at the request of CBN Europe, has put together a legally based letter on European Convention law to be sent to OFCOM, the British broadcasting regulation group, which has threatened fines and suspension of broadcasts for evangelical based programs stating that the content was religiously manipulative because of its message that Christ must be asked into the hearts of any person who wishes to become a Christian. The letter was very well received by CBN and discussions are now pending for even further action against the UK regulators.

European law states that regulation of television and radio by governments is based mainly of its technical components and must respect the freedom of speech enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights. The European Court of Human Rights has also held that freedom of religion includes the freedom to share one's faith with others and that this right is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.