RT says it is seeking a judicial review after December’s ruling in which Ofcom found the Russian news channel broke impartiality rules seven times in its reporting of the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal, and his daughter.
“RT has informed Ofcom that it will be seeking Judicial Review of Ofcom’s decisions and process in its breach findings of 20th December against the network. Ofcom investigated 10 RT programmes, and decided that 7 were in breach; we firmly believe that none were in breach. RT is left with no choice other than to seek Judicial Review of the matter,” RT said in a statement.
“Ofcom required that RT devote yet more of its time to presenting the same mainstream viewpoints of other broadcasters, instead of delivering the alternative perspectives our viewers have come to rely on. These alternative viewpoints are essential to a well-informed public debate.”
The dispute between broadcaster and regulator should be seen in the wider context of relations between the UK and the Kremlin in the light of the Skripal poisoning.
It has also indirectly lead into an investigation by Russia into the BBC’s activities in the country.
