Press Releases23 Mar 20

Reminder – Covid–19: Guidance for Online Services

For many of us, we’ve just finished our first weekend of broadcasting church services online for parishioners sitting at home and indeed friends and relatives further afield.  Recording or livestreaming any kind of content – whether in audio or video – is daunting for anyone doing it for the first time.

Please don’t feel pressured to do something that isn’t feasible right now – there’s time to learn and think through the practicalities.  Comparisons can be misleading as every parish is different – but you can adapt ideas from what is working best for a similar parish in another setting (e.g. a rural or suburban parish elsewhere in the island).

Five pointers

Parishes are encouraged to consider these guidelines when thinking through their plans:

1. Consider whether you have the resources at present to provide recorded or livestreamed worship.  Parishes which do not wish to take on broadcasting are free to encourage and help parishioners to watch or listen to services provided by others (including cathedrals);

2. Consider carefully whether recording for uploading at a later time or livestreaming is the best approach – recording gives speakers an opportunity (with advice from others where appropriate) to check and edit content before sharing this more widely; once it goes on social media, it is public and can be permanent.

3. Consider whether advertising will be displayed when your service is broadcast on a social media channel.

4. Ensure that your copyright licence covers broadcasting where the livestreaming, recording or performing of music and hymns is being considered – a performing rights licence may also be required (Christian Copyright Licensing International provides information on the copyright status of hymns and songs, and just released a new streaming licence for the UK).

5. Consult and follow the Church’s Social Media Guidelines and Safeguarding Trust & Adult Safeguarding policies (these documents aim to cover a range of scenarios, including difficult situations that come up in parish life, and they include specific guidance on photography and using the internet).

Next steps

Please check the following websites before recording or livestreaming: 

– Social Media Guidelines: https://bit.ly/2Wtvljw

– Safeguarding Trust & Adult Safeguarding: www.ireland.anglican.org/safeguarding

– CCLI UK (for Northern Ireland parishes): https://uk.ccli.com/faq

– CCLI Ireland (for Republic of Ireland parishes): https://ie.ccli.com/faq

Please also consult your diocesan communications officer for specific local guidance from your diocesan bishop or commissary.