[cma-l] The Guardian: a call for 'creative pluralism' in television - and an award for BCFM

[CMA-L]

Yesterday's Guardian reported that Tim Gardam, a former director of
programmes at Channel 4, has warned that the BBC must not be left as
the only provider of programmes without commercial appeal.

"It is a real possibility that the creative pluralism that has been
characteristic of British television is on the verge of disappearing,"
Gardam told an audience at the Sandford St Martin Trust awards for
religious programming, held at Lambeth Palace on Monday.

Gardam continues, "The range of experience and the tone of voice
across the programmes attest to the differences of perspective between
the broadcasters". The award-winning programmes were evidence of "how
important it is that the BBC is not left in the future as the monopoly
provider of television programmes that are not solely determined by
the dictates of the market".

Gardam concluded that "Choice in television … is as much about
qualitative judgements as about quantitative ones".

The Sandford St Martin Trust Awards is committed to at least one prize
going to a local or community radio station.  One of the merit awards
was presented to "Let Us Pod – Bereavement", a programme originally
made for the Roman Catholic diocese of Clifton website and then
broadcast on BCfm Community Radio for Bristol.

Original: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jun/02/tim-gardam

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