Two Islamic TV channels fined a total of £115,000 for inciting hate and violence live on a live television
An Islamic TV channel has been fined £85,000 after it broadcast a hate instructing all Muslims to kill anyone who insults Prophet Mohammed live on live television.
Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom reprimanded Al Ehya Digital Televison, which runs the Islamic channel Noor TV for allowing its presenter to tell viewers it was their duty to murder non-Muslims during a phone in show.
Mr Nizami answered questions about a wide range of issues and personal conduct relating to Islam and its teachings. But following a question from a Pakistani caller who asked what the punishment should be for those who disrespect the Prophet, his answer was that they “should be eliminated.”
Speaking directly into the camera Mr Nazimi said: “May Allah accept us wherever there is a need [to kill a blasphemer]. We are ready and should be ready at all times [to kill a blasphemer].” The Ofcom regulator judged that these comments were likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder. The channel could have been fined up to £250,000 but regulator opted to protect their freedom of expression.
Broadcaster remains unrepentant and has since broadcast a ‘clarification’ instead of an apology.
This comes after another Sikh TV channel was also fined £30,000 over a debate in which guests supported an assassination attempt on a former Indian Army General. Following viewers’ complainst, Ofcom requested a translation of the debate with commentator’s exact words that were said during the debate.
Ofcom proceeded and said the satellite channel Sangat TV broadcast statements in a panel discussion programme which “were an indirect call to members of the Sikh community to take violent action against Lt General Brar and other members of the Indian armed forces”. Ofcom continued on stating that the programme on Sangat TV was likely to encourage or to incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder.
The Birmingham-based channel may lodge an appeal against the fine, as the channel’s head of programmes, Amarpreet Mann, said the fine was rather unfair.
By Tim Katoga
