Press TV loses Ofcom licence

Ofcom has revoked the licence of Press TV after the regulator failed to be satisfied the channel’s licensee had sufficient control over the programmes broadcast.

Press TV, a division of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting has, has lost its TLCS licence under Condition 29(2)(a) of that licence. Under section 13(1) of the 1990 Act it is a criminal offence to provide a television service without a licence. The licence itself was revoked under Condition 29(2)(a) of the Licence and section 238(4) of the Communications Act 2003.

It follows a series of meetings and correspondence between regulator and broadcaster in connection with an  interview with Maziar Bahari, an imprisoned Newsweek journalist, that was claimed to have been conducted under duress, and was held to be a serious breach of the broadcasting code. It later emerged that Press TV was unable to pay the fine.

“During the course of the sanctions hearing the licensee (Press TV Limited based in London) made representations that suggested to Ofcom that editorial control of the channel rested with Press TV International (based in Tehran),” said Ofcom. “Broadcasting rules require that a licence is held by the person who is in general control of the TV service: that is, the person that chooses the programmes to be shown in the service and organises the programme schedule”.

As of Friday lunchtime (January 20), Press TV still held its place in the Sky EPG, the channel was expected to be removed by the end of the day.

George Galloway, the former Respect party MP and Press TV presenter said on Twitter: “Champions of liberty the British govt have now taken Press TV off Sky”.

Last October, at the height of the negotiations, Press TV claimed Ofcom was in league with the Royal Family in a plot to take it off the air.

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