Ananova, Aug. 13, 2002
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_649474.html?menu=news.latestheadlines
More than 100 public figures have sent a protest letter to the BBC protesting at the ban on atheist contributors to the Radio 4 Thought for the Day slot.
[…]
Thought for the Day has been part of the Radio 4 schedules for decades and the BBC is currently looking at ways of “refreshing” the two-and-a-half minute slot.
But producers have pledged to continue their policy of allowing only religious contributors, and will decline appearances by atheists.
The decision prompted the collection of prominent figures in politics and the media to write the letter to BBC governors.
It read: “By resolutely retaining the ban, the BBC is discriminating against the non-religious, and thus giving the impression of promoting religion as the one source of ethics. We call on the Governors to end this ban.”