|PIC1|The General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, Rev Joel Edwards, has been officially appointed to the position of Chair of the Churches Media Council. He will formally undertake the post in June of this year.

The Churches Media Council (CMC), which was formerly named the ‘Churches’ Advisory Council for Local Broadcasting’, has the commission to promote the Christian faith in the media, as well as offering support to Christians in the broadcasting field.

The CMC’s annual conference has become a highly regarded event since its establishment, and speakers in previous years have included Mark Thompson, the Director-General of the BBC, and Ann Widdecombe MP.

The famous Andrew Cross Awards are also hosted by the CMC, and celebrates excellence in religious coverage.

Winners in previous years of these awards have included the Guardian’s Stephen Bates (Religious Writer of the Year), and BBC Scotland for its programme ‘Teen Commandments’ (Best TV Documentary).

Accepting his new position, Rev Edwards said, “The CMC have established a steady and effective track record of gathering Christians in the world of broadcasting to impact the work of significant agencies such as the BBC and OfCom.”

He added, “I feel very privileged to have been invited to succeed Bishop Tom Butler, and look forward to working with the Council to build for the future.”