SPRINGER BLASPHEMY CASE THROWN OUT OF COURT

A British TV screening of JERRY SPRINGER - THE OPERA has escaped punishment after High Court judges refused to hear an appeal to prosecute the BBC - over accusations the broadcast contained blasphemy. Lobby group Christian Voice mounted a campaign in January last year (07) to overturn a ruling which prevented the organisation from taking legal action against the broadcaster. Stephen Green, of Christian Voice, argued the small screen adaptation of Springer's controversial talk show "vilified God and the Bible" - and attempted to take legal action against the station's director general Mark Thompson and the show's producer Jon Thoday. The case was refused by the City of Westminster magistrates court, a decision which was upheld by the High Court last December (07). The High Court has now refused to hear Green's appeal against the ruling, insisting the case "(did) not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance". Green says, "It brings down the judgement of God on us all." Jerry Springer - The Opera ran in London from 2003 to 2005, and opened in January (08) in New York's Carnegie Hall, with Harvey Keitel in the lead role.