Search results : 797

Refine your search
Results display : Short Long
IRIS 2022-4:1/12 [GB] Ofcom determines RT’s licensee ANO TV Novosti is not a fit and proper broadcaster and revokes its licences to broadcast in the UK

Ofcom has revoked the licences of RT’s licensee ANO TV Novosti (the Licensee) to broadcast in the UK considering it not a fit and proper broadcaster given the regulator’s immediate concerns about its compliance with due impartiality rules. The decision came amidst 29 ongoing investigations by Ofcom into the due impartiality of RT’s news and current affairs coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The volume and nature of the complaints in a short space of time caused great concern for Ofcom. Further, Ofcom assessed matters in the context of RT’s compliance history...

IRIS 2022-4:1/31 [GB] Advertising watchdog publishes report on tackling harmful racial and ethnic stereotyping in ads

On 3 February 2022, the UK’s regulator of advertising across all media, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), published its research in harmful racial and ethnic stereotyping in UK advertising. The survey highlighted a number of important issues that participant consumers raised about the depiction of people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Ads that are likely to cause serious or widespread offence and/or harm owing to particular portrayals of race and ethnicity have long been regulated under the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (CAP Code) and the Code of Broadcast...

IRIS 2022-3:1/13 [GB] Ofcom consults on its guidance about how on-demand programme service providers comply with new requirements about European Works

Ofcom has issued proposed guidance about how on-demand programme service (“ODPS”) providers should comply with new requirements concerning European works under Section 368CB of the Communications Act 2003 (“the Act”). The proposed guidance reflects changes to the regulatory framework, effective since 1 November 2020, and will replace Ofcom’s existing guidance on European works obligations for ODPS providers. The regulatory change arises from the UK’s transposition of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive 2018 (AVMSD) into UK law, pursuant to the...

IRIS 2022-3:1/26 [GB] Libel trial against investigative journalist concludes before the High Court: a landmark test of the public interest defence

On 14 January 2022, a high-profile libel trial began before Mrs Justice Steyn at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. The British businessman Arron Banks sued investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr for libel. Mr. Banks is an outspoken backer of Brexit. Ms Cadwalladr is an award-winning journalist who writes for the Guardian and Observer in the United Kingdom. She is particularly known for her work in uncovering the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The case arose out of remarks in a Ted Technology Conference titled ‘Facebook’s role in Brexit – and the threat to democracy’...

IRIS 2022-2:1/11 [GB] The licensee of Midland Asian Television held in breach of Ofcom rules relating to due impartiality for an edition of their Pakistan Reporter current affairs programme.   

Midlands Asian Television (MATV) was held in breach of Rule 5.5 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code by failing to ensure that their edition of Pakistan Reporter on the 8 February 2021 provided due impartiality. MATV is a satellite television service that boradcasts programming in Hindu, Urdu, English, Gujarati and Punjabi. The Licence for MATV is held by the Middlesex Broadcasting Corporation Limited. On the 8 February 2021 an edition of Pakistan Reporter, a current affairs and analysis progarmme about Pakistan, was broadcasted in Urdu on the subject of the Pakistan government's treatment...