Britain Bans Iranian Press TV
by IPT News • Jan 20, 2012 at 3:38 pm
http://www.investigativeproject.org/3393/britain-bans-iranian-press-tv
Britain's telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, revoked the license of Iranian state-owned television Press TV over breaches of the broadcasting code. Press TV has fired back, calling the move "questionable" and stating that the real intention is to undermine the political messages of the channel.
Ofcom's decision outlines that in order to obtain a British broadcasting license, the Britain-based branch must have control over the content of its programs. The decision charges that the real editorial decisions of London-based Press TV Ltd. are actually made by Press TV International, which follows the dictates of the Iranian government. Press TV Ltd. was also fined £100,000 last month for a 2009 violation of "broadcasting an interview under duress," when the company conducted an interview with detained Newsweek correspondent Maziar Bahari. Press TV Ltd. failed to pay or even respond to the fine.
Press TV has countered that the allegations are a way "to conceal the truth from the people of Britain," concerning British imperialism and supposed corruption in the royal family. However, the action is more probably linked to statements from a February 2010 Wikileaks document, describing Britain's desire for diplomatic retaliation against Iran's blocking of British and European stations. "HMG [Her Majesty's Government] is exploring ways to limit the operations of the IRIB's Press TV service, which operates a large bureau (over 80 staff) in London," the leaked cable said, linking future actions to sanctions on the Iranian government.
Diplomatic retaliation may also provide a reason for the December 2010 freezing of the media group's accounts by Britain's National Westminster Bank. But well-known British Muslim activist and Press TV correspondent Lauren Booth claimed that the account freezing was part of a secretive campaign by "Zionist organizations" to stop anti-Western and anti-Israel programming.
Though it serves as a mouthpiece for the Iranian regime, American Islamists routinely appear on Press TV, often criticizing American government policies or bemoaning life in America for Muslims.
Related Topics: Media | IPT News
Read More: Press TV, Ofcom, WikiLeaks, Lauren Booth, Media
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Reader comments on this item
Right Choices
Submitted by Charles, Jan 24, 2012 10:37
I believe that any free nation (recognizing human liberties, and equality of the sexes) should ban all access to TV, Radio, Internet sights that promote an ideaology that not only disagree's with other's personal/private, political/religious views, but overreaches to the point to defacing the image of anyone who believes differently then the view they are pushing. Such actions (banning) is politically correct...because the (pushing of intolerant ideaology) is not freedom, it's intolerance supported by hate speech which promotes violence, and distruction of anyone, anything that doens't agree.
There are religious views that say, they are the only way. Some will preach it to you, and others will kill you if you disagree... I am speaking against those that would kill you because you don't agree, that type of thinking can not be excepted as anything other than what it is....muder in thought, then in action.
I am proud of Ofcom's decision...
Iranian political messages.
Submitted by Josue Griego, Jan 23, 2012 19:28
Boo hoo. Who wants to hear hate messages.Britain's Laws must be followed.
Britain Fighting Back
Submitted by Kristy Howard-Clark, Jan 23, 2012 15:27
I concur with the British on this one.
Press TV
Submitted by gary fouse, Jan 21, 2012 21:39
I guess that leaves George Galloway and Yvonne Ridley out of a job.