BBC director-general Mark Thompson has warned against the growing power of the “extremist” religious groups who opposed the controversial broadcast last month of Jerry Springer – The Opera.
Giving the annual Livery Lecture at Stationers’ Hall in London last night he claimed the corporation must stand up for the “widest range of ideas” in the face of increased pressure from lobby groups.
Mr Thompson, himself a Christian, said the decision to screen a recording of the hit West End musical, which features a nappy-wearing Jesus who claims he “feels a little bit gay“, was “both right and important.”
Talking about the freedom to screen controversial programmes, he told delegates: “I do believe that this openness, along with the wider openness of our whole society, is under threat.
“The voices of those who would wish to limit it seem to be getting more strident.
“Small pressure groups can use the internet, e-mails and other modern communications tools to give a false impression of size and weight.
He said he believed “rage and extremism” appeared to be coming closer to the surface.”
A record number of 50,000 complaints were received before and after the programme was screened on BBC2, including protests that the programme was blasphemous.
One religious group, Christian Voice, led a campaign against some BBC executives, publishing their home addresses and phone numbers.
“I do think the organisers of some of the protests, in particular Christian Voice, should reflect carefully on what happened,” said Mr Thompson.
“The volume of protests was something we did take into consideration, because it showed the widespread strength of feeling.
“But even if around 50,000 different people really had registered their disquiet, that number has to be considered alongside the 1.8 million who eventually chose to watch Jerry Springer and indeed the 25 million households we serve altogether.”
However, Mr Thompson also admitted the corporation must do more to “connect” with Christian viewers.
“The BBC is not here to promote a secular worldview as opposed to a religious one, or so-called progressive values over traditional ones, but rather to give voice and space to a full range of perspectives,” he said.
“In my view we have plenty more to do to reflect religion positively on our airwaves particularly Christianity where, despite some real advances in recent years, there is still something of a creative deficit.”