Last week (May 22nd) Rishi Sunak announced that the United Kingdom will go to the polls on July 4th, 2024. As a result Parliament will be dissolved and there has been a rush for legislators to complete any unfinished business before then in a process known as the 'wash up'.
The Media Bill was one of the Bills where the remaining stages were fast-tracked.
On Thursday, the Government made an 11th-hour concession on public service broadcasting, and accepted one of the amendments we've been lobbying for which ensures that the Reithian principles to inform, educate and entertain will remain an explicit part of public service broadcasting remit.
Unfortunately, however, the Government did not accept our amendment that would have seen key public service genres like programmes about religion or belief, science, art, history or international affairs included in the legislation as part of the public service broadcasting remit.
For the Sandford St Martin Trust and our partners this is disappointing news.
Looking at the world today, it's arguable that there has never been a time when there was a greater need for religious awareness and understanding. Whether one is a believer or not, we believe belief still matters and that our broadcasters have an ever more important role to play in the fight against prejudice and bigotry and in supporting cooperation across communities.
We may not have been successful in our attempt to get religion and belief back into the Media Bill this time, we're not going to stop our efforts to support and advocate for this important kind of content. Next up: lobbying the media regulator Ofcom and potentially a new Government, and BBC Charter Renewal.
We've learned a lot about campaigning and advocacy over recent months. We're grateful to the many friends and alliances we've made in the process. We're looking forward to working with them and you going forward! But not before saying thank you for your support and for your interest so far. Thank you. Onwards and upwards! There is work still to be done!