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Iran's Press TV Knocked Off British Screens By Regulator And Fined £100,000

Ahmadinejad

PA/The Huffington Post   First Posted: 20/01/2012 13:54 Updated: 20/01/2012 14:28

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Iranian news network Press TV has had its licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom revoked by communications watchdog Ofcom.

The London-based channel, whose presenters include former MP George Galloway and Tony Blair's sister-in-law Lauren Booth, will go off the air on Friday.

A statement released by the watchdog said it was apparent that "editorial control of the channel rested with Press TV International (based in Tehran)" - in breach of broadcasting rules which state the licence holder must have general control of programming.

It was also fined £100,000 after broadcasting an interview with a journalist while they were being held in an Iranian prison, which Ofcom said was "obtained under duress".

The Ofcom statement said Press TV had "indicated it is unwilling and unable to pay" the fine.

The regulator said it gave Press TV Limited the opportunity to apply to have its operations in Tehran correctly licensed but failed to do so.

Following the decision Galloway took to Twitter to condemn the British government.


George Galloway
Champions of liberty the British govt have now taken Press TV off Sky. Follow us at www.presstv.ir and other platforms

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said that the government had been concerned by the allegations made against Press TV and it was "right these allegations investigated". But they stressed that it was for Ofcom to pursue not the FCO.

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Iranian news network Press TV has had its licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom revoked by communications watchdog Ofcom. The London-based channel, whose presenters include former MP George Ga...
Iranian news network Press TV has had its licence to broadcast in the United Kingdom revoked by communications watchdog Ofcom. The London-based channel, whose presenters include former MP George Ga...
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Just Elliott
0 Fans
07:24 AM on 01/26/2012
This is an honest question - Can anyone tell me if there is a similar TV station in Iran controlled from another country or any media outlet that isnt fully controlled my the Iranian state??
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digdeeper
67 Fans
11:14 AM on 01/21/2012
Closing down PressTV was a blatant form of arm twisting by the government,US & Israel on Ofcom and a flagrant disregard for free speech and transparency. It is also very insulting to those of us who are able to differenciate between truth and propaganda. Just as we do with the british media which has become increasingly parochial and trivial.
In order to have a balanced view about what is going on in the world, it is necessary to hear from several points of view. I may not agree with the current regime in Iran but we have a right to be able to listen to how they perceive the world. The way in which PressTV has been closed down shows the lengths to which politicians will go to muzzle any point of view contrary to their own.
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kazio
24 Fans
07:20 PM on 01/21/2012
If you think airing an interview with a jailed journalist under duress falls under freedom of speech, you have serious issues distinguis­hing liberty from license
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digdeeper
67 Fans
11:05 AM on 01/21/2012
Closing down Press TV is a sad day indeed for free speech.
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kazio
24 Fans
05:30 PM on 01/20/2012
The IRI propaganda outlet is off sky, and Galloway is mad; could not have hoped for a better start to my day
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digdeeper
67 Fans
11:23 AM on 01/21/2012
Your head's in the sand. Have a nice day.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Daviejohn
All the world's a stage,
78 Fans
 
11:46 AM on 01/21/2012
And yours is in a darker place.
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dalejohno
29 Fans
04:50 PM on 01/20/2012
If scotland become independent can we deport Galloway?

If somebody hasn't followed the rules and has been given warnings about abiding by them then it is their fault they get booted out not the Government on this occasion.

You just have a large chip on your shoulder.
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digdeeper
67 Fans
11:24 AM on 01/21/2012
Galloway doesn't run Press TV.
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dalejohno
29 Fans
11:52 AM on 01/21/2012
Didn't say he did. He was complaining about the ban. I was referring to his complaint.
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joda51
29 Fans
04:13 PM on 01/20/2012
Wish galloway was'nt scottish.....i don't like the man.....does anyone like the man?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Tony Booth
55 Fans
05:21 PM on 01/20/2012
yes, i do. he's a breath of fresh air compared to the rest of the slimeballs and doubletalkers inhabiting parliament. you may not like what he says but at least you know he means it.

i hope he gets a slot on freeview alongside RT and AJ, then we can compare and contrast the appalling coverage we get from our own news channels.
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kazio
24 Fans
06:31 PM on 01/20/2012
It was indeed refreshing to listen to Galloway explain the virtues of Assad, Ahmadinejad, and the Iranian supreme leader.
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HisScaliness
90 Fans
07:58 PM on 01/20/2012
He means it?


Well, I suppose we must salute his indefatigability. Unusual, though for someone to thrust his tongue so deeply and intimately into Saddam Hussein AND Ahmedinejab. He is a little ....indescriminate, woldn't you say?
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LoveAfrica
Knowledge is Power & the Truth shall set you Free
221 Fans
12:58 AM on 01/21/2012
So do I. A few in this world that has the guts truth to speak the truth.
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joda51
29 Fans
09:11 AM on 01/21/2012
See above comment from Scally
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MarxEngelsLeninTrotsky
Einstein: Socialism is the way forward.
572 Fans
03:20 PM on 01/20/2012
All because the government didn't agree with them. Propoganda comes in many forms and it's not just from the "other side". This is taking the biscuit. BBC,SKY and others are just as bad.
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kazio
24 Fans
05:33 PM on 01/20/2012
what part of "interview with a journalist while they were being held in an Iranian prison, which Ofcom said was obtained under duress" did you not understand?
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MarxEngelsLeninTrotsky
Einstein: Socialism is the way forward.
572 Fans
05:50 PM on 01/20/2012
Wikipedia files show that the U.S. ambassador to the UK was concerned about the influence of Press TV. Need i say anymore.
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LoveAfrica
Knowledge is Power & the Truth shall set you Free
221 Fans
01:00 AM on 01/21/2012
Do you know how many times we have done the same thing. Oh I forgot; 'Do as I say not as I do'
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MarxEngelsLeninTrotsky
Einstein: Socialism is the way forward.
572 Fans
03:12 PM on 01/20/2012
Fascists.
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the metic
9 Fans
07:56 PM on 01/20/2012
Certainly, there can be worst things than ridding our airwaves of execrable peddling of implaccable hate!
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HisScaliness
90 Fans
08:00 PM on 01/20/2012
Yeah comrade! Get the fascists off!

Er, which ones though?
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MarxEngelsLeninTrotsky
Einstein: Socialism is the way forward.
572 Fans
09:18 PM on 01/20/2012
Ofcom + Government.
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