Indian Channel fined for airing ‘Hate Speech’ against Pakistan
In this photograph taken on April 26, 2017, Indian television journalist Arnab Goswami poses during an interview with AFP in Mumbai. Arnab Goswami, India's most brash and controversial TV news anchor, renowned for his hectoring style on air, is about to launch a new channel and he's unapologetic about what viewers should expect. "I'm patriotic and nationalistic and so will the channel be," the 43-year-old tells AFP, in a mellow tone drastically different from his manner on-screen where he regularly shouts at guests. / AFP PHOTO / Sujit JAISWAL / To go with India-media-television-Goswami,INTERVIEW by Peter Hutchison
Lahore, 23rd December: An Indian channel was fined by the British regulators for airing ‘hate speech’ against Pakistan.
Baaghi TV: After an Indian channel aired a program showing ‘hate speech’ against Pakistanis it got fined by the British telecoms regulator Office of Communications (Ofcom) on Tuesday.
Ofcom fined Worldview Media Network £20,000 after its Indian channel Republic Bharat TV aired a programme which showed ‘hate speech’ against Pakistanis.
Dawn News posted that in a decision published earlier this year, Ofcom found that in a current affairs programme, ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ the presenter Arnab Goswami and some of his guests made several statements which amounted to hate speech against and derogatory and abusive treatment of, Pakistani people.
The programme was also potentially offensive and in violation of the Broadcasters’ Code.
Ofcom stated in its decision, “Due to the serious nature of these breaches we are considering imposing a statutory sanction.”
The decision included transcripts from the programme, which aired on Sept 6, 2019. The show discussed, among other things, India’s space programme, the Kashmir issue and “Pakistan’s alleged involvement in terrorist activities against Indian targets”.
Ofcom reported that the show had violated sections 2.3, 3.2 and 3.3 of the Broadcasters’ Code by airing material that included “hate speech, abusive and derogatory treatment of individuals, groups, religions or communities and offensive content”.
The regulator also asked Worldview Media Network, the licensee which airs Republic Bharat in the UK, for an explanation.
The network argued that the show was “based on evidence” and “did not promote terrorism or hatred and it certainly did not promote or justify hatred in any way” but this was not deemed an acceptable explanation by the watchdog.
The network responded to the regulator after the penalty that it will stop the airing of live debates on relations between Pakistan and India and would ensure that content was reviewed before being broadcast along with taking other steps.
In its decision, Ofcom said that it was aware of the broadcaster’s right to freedom of speech and it did not prohibit airing of programmes on controversial topics. However, it added that broadcasters should make sure to comply with the code.
As per Ofcom’s reports, one of the guests, General K. K. Sinha’s comment alleging that all Pakistanis were terrorists was considered as an expression of hatred based on intolerance of Pakistani people based on their nationality alone.
It noted that while Pakistani contributors were also included in the programme, they were repeatedly interrupted and given little time to make points.
Ofcom said in a statement on its website that in addition to the fine, the channel would have to broadcast the regulator’s findings on a date and in a form to be determined by Ofcom. It also directed the channel not to repeat the programme.
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