THE FELLOWSHIP OF EUROPEAN BROADCASTERS WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY EASTER.

UK

• BBC: During Holy Week, the BBC are broadcasting a Drama "The Passion", retelling the last week in the life of Jesus Christ, written by Emmy Award winner Frank Deasy. The first 60 minute episode will be broadcast on BBC1 on Palm Sunday at 20.00, with a 30 minute episode on Monday 17th at 20.30 and on Good Friday at 21.00. The final 60 minute episode will be shown on Easter Sunday.
  
  
• EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE: The Reverend Joel Edwards will be leaving his post as General Director of the Evangelical Alliance UK after more than a decade of valued service. He completed two five-year terms, but has stayed on to finish work on a new vision for evangelicalism, which he will present on a tour around the UK and America over the next six months. Mr Edwards plans to continue his active involvement as chair of Micah Challenge International, and the Churches Media Council. He is also a commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. For more information visit www.eauk.org
  
  
• OFCOM: OFCOM has been accused by union leaders of "betraying the nation" over the sell-off of the spectrum freed up by the digital switchover process. The auction starts in 2009 but lobbying for how it should be conducted is already fierce. One of the biggest controversies hinges on OFCOM's decision not to allocate any of the spectrum to High Definition TV services for the digital terrestrial platform, as it believes that capacity for HD channels can be found from existing spectrum.
  
  
• RELIGIOUS TRENDS: According to Christian Research Organisation, the rate of decline of UK Church Membership has slowed since 2005 solely due to immigration from new European Union countries, particularly Poland. Many ethnic churches are also growing as people from Ghana and Nigeria are involved in "reverse mission" by starting churches, to help bring the UK back to Christianity.
  
  
• STOP THE TRAFFIK : Chairman of Stop the Traffik, Steve Chalke, has been appointed as special advisor to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (GIFT). In February, he addressed the opening session of the UN GIFT Conference in Vienna, and presented a Global Declaration signed by more than 1.5 million people. It is estimated that approximately 2.5 million people become victims of human trafficking worldwide each year.
  
  
• EU Referendum: MPs last week turned down a proposal to hold a UK-wide referendum on whether to ratify the EU's Lisbon Treaty, by a margin of 63 votes. All three main UK political parties promised a public vote on the EU Constitution in their 2005 election manifestos. The Government says that the Lisbon Treaty does not have constitutional implications so a referendum is not needed.

AFRICA

• ALGERIA: Trans World Radio is broadcasting a weekly, 30 minute radio programme "Good News", aimed at Algerian women who are isolated and not permitted to attend Christian meetings. 
  
  Arab Vision has just completed the production of a special 31 episode TV series on Leadership training for the Algerian Kabyle churches. Algerian churches are growing rapidly and need help with training.
  
  
• SOUTH AFRICA: The Good News Media will be field-testing a "hand-wind" MP3 player in April, for use in regions with no reliable power supply and particularly for oral societies. By winding the MP3 player for 5 minutes, it generates enough power to run for 20 minutes. It can also be charged using solar panels or mains supply. It is hoped that this tool can be used to share the Gospel as well as playing music and for teaching on health issues.
  

USA

• MOODY RADIO: Three new online audio channels are bringing "More Moody Radio" to more listeners. Available on their new website www.moodyradio.org the channels use the latest streaming audio technology, and offer music and teaching 24/7.