United Kingdom

[GB] Ofcom fines broadcaster for infringing broadcasting rules

IRIS 2020-7:1/7

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

On 5 May 2020, Ofcom, the UK broadcasting regulator, announced its decision to fine a broadcast licensee, Club TV Limited, in respect of a programme published by its Peace TV Urdu service.

The offending programme was broadcast on 22 November 2017. It was an episode of the series Kitaab-ut-Tawheed about the Islamic punishment of magicians. Ofcom's breach decision was published on 22 July 2019. It found that the licensee had failed to provide adequate protection to members of the public from the inclusion of offensive and harmful material and had thus breached Rules 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 2.3 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

Ofcom has imposed a fine of GBP 200 000 on Club TV Limited. The financial penalty will be payable to HM Paymaster General.