Sunday, April 01, 2012

High Court defers decision on Christian radio case

The High Court in London has deferred a decision on a Christian advert blocked by a radio regulatory body.

The Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) refused to give the go ahead for a radio advert by Premier Christian Radio that invited Christians to report their experiences of marginalisation in the workplace.

The advert quoted from surveys showing that 60% of Christians felt marginalised in the workplace.

Premier had intended to air the advert in the run-up to the General Election but the RACC objected on the grounds that it had a political motive and it was prohibited by the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport.

The owners of the radio station, London Christian Radio and Christian Communications Partnership, challenged the decision and were granted a judicial review at the end of last year.

Responding to Tuesday’s High Court decision, Premier chief executive Peter Kerridge said: “The case raises important issues of fundamental rights of freedom of expression for Christians to report to us their experiences in the workplace. We are pleased with the way in which the case is progressing. His Honour Judge Silber listened carefully to the legal arguments put forward by Premier Christian Radio and will now consider his decision in the full knowledge that this is a very important case for Premier, RACC and the UK Government.”