The director of the Churches Media Council (CMC) has said that whether the new head of Religion and Ethics is ‘a Muslim or a Methodist, a Hindu or a Humanist’ is irrelevant - as long as they believe something with a passion.

While the Catholic Cardinal and the Church of England, or at least its two archbishops, are perceived to be at war with the government over one set of public services, in relation to the equalities agenda, yesterday (25 January 2007) they set their face in favour of a public service ethos in relation to broadcasting.

In a move that will be welcomed by some Christians as well as humanists and secularists, the BBC's director general has said that Thought for the Day, one of the bastions of religious broadcasting, could be open to secular contributors in the future.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham James, has called for the renewal of the BBC Charter and the retention of the licence fee in his maiden speech in the House of Lords.