Premier Christian Radio has taken out a full page advertisement in today's Telegraph newspaper, labelling yesterday's Court of Appeal decision an "attack on freedom of speech for Christians".
In May 2011, Premier planned to run an advert asking listeners to report their experiences of marginalisation in the workplace as a result of their faith.
"We are concerned to get the most accurate data to inform the public debate. We will then use this data to help make a fairer society," it said.
However, the Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) refused to let the advert air, claiming that it had a political objective and therefore fell under the broadcasting prohibitions on political advertising.
The RACC's decision was challenged by the radio station, and they were granted a judicial review last year, but the objection was upheld.
Premier made a second appeal but yesterday the decision was made by the High Court to again uphold the ban.
Premier's CEO Petter Kerridge was disappointed with the outcome, and declared: "This is not only a bad day for freedom of speech for Christians, it is also a bad day for democracy in general."
"We believe that such a ban represents an attack on freedom of speech for everyone," he warned.
In response to the Court of Appeal's decision, Premier has run an advertisement in the Telegraph today that states, "Christians have been banned for giving their opinion. Yours could be next," under a photograph of a taped up mouth.
It then reproduces a copy of the banned ad, with the heading "Would you have banned this advert?" and invites readers to vote in a poll on the Premier website.
The bottom line of the advert reads: "Premier Christian Media advocating freedom of speech for all."
