BROADCASTING watchdog Ofcom has launched seven investigations into the accuracy of information provided by Kremlin-backed channel, RT, it has emerged.
Ofcom is reviewing the station’s licence due to a “significant increase” in potential breaches of the broadcasting code since the Salisbury poisonings of Russian ex-double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The pair were found unconscious in the English town in March and the row has sparked international antagonism.
The investigations concern the licences issued to RT parent company TV Novosti.
Ofcom said: “Until recently, TV Novosti’s overall compliance record has not been materially out of line with other broadcasters. However, since the events in Salisbury, we have observed a significant increase in the number of programmes on the RT service that warrant investigation as potential breaches of the Ofcom broadcasting code.
“We will announce the outcome of these investigations as soon as possible.”
The channel broadcasts the Alex Salmond Show, which has also been subject to a probe by the regulator over whether the content of its November 16 episode “materially misled” viewers.
Ofcom said this “relates to ‘audience tweets’... which we have provisionally found were not from audience members”.
Programme maker Slainte Media – owned by Salmond and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh – said it cannot disclose further details on Ofcom’s procedures are complete.
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