Further information on BBC Religion and Ethics changes

Since our concerns about proposed changes to the BBC's Religionand Ethics department were initially raised on Saturday, we arepleased to have received some clarification from the BBC.

The changes principally concern the management structures of BBCReligion and Ethics, which will involve Nick Patten, currently Headof the Birmingham Factual team, immediately taking on a managementrole covering both the Manchester and Birmingham teams. ManchesterReligion and Ethics team will now feature a dedicated CommissioningEditor position, to be filled as soon as possible.

I have received reassurance from Tom Archer, Controller of FactualProduction for the BBC, that the Religion and Ethics department inManchester will continue to provide specialist programming for theBBC and that the new changes will allow for greater creativedevelopment of Religion and Ethics programming.

We continue to offer our prayerful support to BBC staff as theyadjust to the new management structures and look forward to seeingthe excellent work of the Religion and Ethics team grow and developas promised.

Anna Drew
Lead Media Officer
British Methodist Church