High court rejects Springer legal review

The Christian Institute's bid to bring judicial review proceedings against the BBC for its broadcast of Jerry Springer - the Opera has been rejected by a high court judge.

The Newcastle-based evangelical group vowed to take the action after the broadcaster refused to apologise for the expletive-strewn opera. The BBC was issued with legal papers in early March.

It applied for a judicial review claiming the BBC had violated its royal charter and hoped to win a hearing which would examine how responsibily BBC bosses executed their responsibilities.

But the high court has refused to grant the Christian Institute permission to bring judicial review proceedings against the BBC.

The full story, by Chris Johnston, is on Media Guardian (free registration required).