BBC Chief: Christianity Is Treated With Less Sensitivity Than Other Religions

Religion is a touchy topic, and more so in the media realm — especially recently. From a New York Times columnist joking about Mitt Romney‘s Mormon faith to Rev. Franklin Graham questioning President Obama‘s Christianity, religion has been a solid source of controversy. So, awareness of its media portrayal seems only natural. Mark Thompson, the BBC’s director-general, said that, generally, Christianity is treated with less sensitivity than other religions.

As the Daily Mail reports, Thompson said this is the case because Christianity is “pretty broad shouldered,” which sets it apart from many other religions:

He suggested other faiths have a ‘very close identity with ethnic minorities’, and were therefore covered in a far more careful way by broadcasters.

But he also revealed that producers had to consider the possibilities of ‘violent threats’ instead of polite complaints if they pushed ahead with certain types of satire.

Bluntly, the BBC chief said: “Without question, ‘I complain in the strongest possible terms,’ is different from, ‘I complain in the strongest possible terms and I am loading my AK47 as I write.’ This definitely raises the stakes.”

He also drew a line between religion and race, saying religion overall should not get the same “protection and sensitivity” that race does by law.

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