News_Editor Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 British media regulator revokes license of Iran's Press TV 2012-01-21 08:22:06 GMT+7 (ICT) LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Britain's media regulator Ofcom on Friday announced its decision to revoke the license of Iranian news channel Press TV over allegations it broke licensing rules. Press TV condemned the move as "a clear example of censorship." Ofcom, the government-approved regulatory authority for the TV and radio sectors, alleged that English-language Press TV had broken its licensing rules because the channel's editorial base is located in the Iranian capital of Tehran, not in London as had been indicated when it was granted the license. "In the course of correspondence and meetings with Ofcom, statements made by (UK-based) Press TV Limited about the operation of the Licensed Service failed to satisfy Ofcom that the (UK-based) Licensee had general control over which programs and other services were comprised in the Licensed Service," Ofcom said in a letter. "Ofcom therefore concluded that Press TV Limited had ceased to provide the Licensed Service in accordance with [licensing rules]." The decision to revoke the license comes less than two months after Ofcom slapped the news channel with a financial penalty of 100,000 British pounds ($155,400). The fine was imposed because Press TV in 2009 aired an unauthorized interview with an imprisoned Newsweek journalist. The channel had not paid the fine as of Friday. Responding to Friday's announcement, Press TV called the move a "clear example of censorship." The channel, which has been critical of the British government and the royal family, suggested the decision was politically-motivated. It pointed out that Ofcom, which calls itself independent, receives aid from the British government and the Secretary of State has the power to appoint or remove Ofcom's chairman and its members. Earlier this month, Press TV CEO Mohammad Sarafraz sent a letter to Ofcom in which he questioned the independence of the media regulator. "Ofcom wants to revoke the broadcast license because it has determined that Press TV Ltd. does not have control over the broadcast," he said in the letter. "Yet at the same time, Ofcom sentences Press TV Ltd. to pay a financial penalty for the broadcast of something Ofcom says it has no control over! How can you possibly explain your paradoxical performance?" Sarafraz pointed out that Press TV will remain available for Britons through the internet. "It is futile to attempt to conceal the truth from the people of Britain, and those that want to hear our alternative voice will find a way despite your efforts," he wrote in the letter. Asked for comment, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said Ofcom is 'independent of the government' and that the British government was not involved in Friday's decision. "The UK has a proud tradition of freedom of speech. International media from all around the globe are based in the UK," the spokesperson said, adding that Press TV is no different for having to comply with Ofcom licensing rules. "We have been concerned for some time by serious allegations about Press TV, in particular that it has been involved in broadcasting confessions obtained under duress," the UK Foreign Office spokesperson said. "It is right and proper that these allegations should have been investigated by Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the UK media." -- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-01-21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 At last! About time the UK grew a pair and purged itself of the propaganda wing of a totalitarian regime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 WOW....Iran must be quaking in their boots.....a TV license revoked.....really shows how far Britainnia has slipped..... in the old days, they would be dispatching gun boats to deal with the restless natives in Iran, now they revoke a TV license.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzaa09 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) At last! About time the UK grew a pair and purged itself of the propaganda wing of a totalitarian regime. Yes. Those Islamic evil-doers. Better to absorb a UK variety of propaganda [part of the good guys network] Edited January 21, 2012 by zzaa09 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Press TV had broken its licensing rules because the channel's editorial base is located in the Iranian capital of Tehran, not in London as had been indicated when it was granted the license. Rather clear reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcz9 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 At last! About time the UK grew a pair and purged itself of the propaganda wing of a totalitarian regime. you dont know what your on about. its call freedom of speach . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abcz9 Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 At last! About time the UK grew a pair and purged itself of the propaganda wing of a totalitarian regime. you dont know what your on about. its call freedom of speach . i bet you read the daily sun or star wake up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 At last! About time the UK grew a pair and purged itself of the propaganda wing of a totalitarian regime. you dont know what your on about. its call freedom of speach . i bet you read the daily sun or star wake up. Freedom of speech That truly is ironic considering Iran's record on such matters. At present the daughter of a previous Iranian president is in jail for criticizing the regime and a Christian convert from Islam faces the death penalty. I suggest you quit ad hominim attacks which do you no favours and look up the relative scores for press freedom published by freedom house to see the UK is literally streets ahead of Iran for both political rights and press freedom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Is this actually a move to restrict the news or is it revocation of the license? I would guess that if the license was revoked, then if they comply with the regulations, they can get it reinstated. Is that correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orac Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Nice to see Ofcom actually regulating anything at the moment - how many police/judicial enquries are ongoing at the moment into UK media??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Is this actually a move to restrict the news or is it revocation of the license? I would guess that if the license was revoked, then if they comply with the regulations, they can get it reinstated. Is that correct? That's how it would appear, however I suspect there is an element of payback for the storming of the British embassy in Tehran and the Iranians are extremely unlikely to pay the fine imposed as that would be an admission they are less than perfect. I would expect some tit for tat move to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maiphedmaiaroi Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 its all propaganda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Is this actually a move to restrict the news or is it revocation of the license? I would guess that if the license was revoked, then if they comply with the regulations, they can get it reinstated. Is that correct? Correct. They also have to either have the judgement of wrongdoing vacated, or pay the fine for the violation of the broadcasting regulations as well. Other broadcasters pay their fines when they screw up. The Iranians need to do the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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