The public backs reform of Radio 4’s Thought For The Day so that it no longer features only religious voices, according to research.
The survey, undertaken by Censuswide and commissioned by the National Secular Society, found that fewer than one in five Britons think the slot should always feature religious content.
The findings have prompted calls for reform from figures including the philosopher AC Grayling.
More than half of the public is ambivalent as to whether the programme should still be broadcast by Radio 4, and only just over a third believe it should be retained. One in 10 think it should be scrapped altogether.
Listeners have previously accused the slot of featuring banal, unambitious and clichéd content. Presenter John Humphrys has slated it as “deeply, deeply boring”.
Overall, the poll of 2,003 adults found that: When asked whether they agreed or disagreed that Thought For The Day should always feature religious content, only 18 per cent agreed.
Thought For The Day is increasingly seen as an irrelevance, with 54% neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the statement: “BBC Radio 4 should still broadcast a daily Thought For The Day”.
Ten per cent of respondents disagreed.
The findings illuminate the disconnect between the broadcast in its current form and what the British public would like to see featured in it.
Commenting on the polling, the National Secular Society said it was time for the BBC to take on board their listeners’ views, particularly when it comes to the religious elements of the show.
The society’s chief executive, Stephen Evans, has now written to the director of radio and education at the BBC, James Purnell, urging him to consider reform of the show by turning it into “an ethical current affairs reflection slot” rather than a programme that “excludes non-religious voices, reinforces prejudice and discrimination and is widely regarded as irrelevant by a majority of the British public”.
Mr Evans said: “Thought For The Day has historically been presented as a way for the British public to reflect on moral issues, but it is clear that the programme in its current form does not resonate with the public.
"This is particularly true when it comes to religion’s role in the show.”
The BBC said it had no plans to change the slot. A spokeswoman said: “Thought For The Day features speakers from the world’s major faith traditions to reflect on topical events and issues from the perspective of their faith.”
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