In a controversial move, the BBC has announced it will be ‘normalising’ it’s guidelines for showing scenes of violence, by banning all images of the crucifixion.
This will not be a new policy, it says, but will be a fairer application of existing guidelines. We were unable to contact a BBC spokesperson to discuss the issue, but they did issue us with the following statement;
“After several complaints from secular liberal groups, it has been brought to our attention that crucifixion scenes clearly breach our editorial guidelines for graphic violence.
“In particular, for family viewing purposes, we cannot broadcast content depicting graphic violence, torture, or extreme violent behaviour. Hangings or any other forms of execution are also deemed too shocking to show.
“As such, we have concluded that a man being slowly tortured to death and nailed to a cross, after being stabbed in the chest with a spear, clearly breaches our standards of decency.
“There will, of course, still be scope for showing such images after the watershed as we allow for other restricted broadcasts, such as scenes involving foul language or those of a lewd and sexual nature
“We stress we will not be specifically banning images of crucifixes, but only those shown with the Christ figure mounted upon them. We have advised our producers that, to prevent any possible offence from being caused during broadcasts from inside churches, the offending objects should either be removed, or a modesty blanket draped over the Christ figure”
The reaction from online social media forums has been mixed. Some posts on Facebook were supportive of the move, for example, a Miss Libby Cook of Kensington wrote;
“Great to see Auntie creating a level playing field and showing they respect all cultures and religions equally. Great job Beeb!”
Another wit, under the alias “misterlivewire” even commented;
“This makes me really cross :-D”
However a Dwayne from Essex was less enthused;
“AND SO IT BEGINS,,,,CULTURAL MARKSISM,,,,GOOGLE KALLERGI PLAN,,,TICK TICK TICK WAKE UP BRITTEN!!,,,RISE,,,UP!!”
Christian groups have yet to release an official response, but it is expected to be one of condemnation given their restrictive nature.
