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Channel Nine breaches rules over political items

Channel Nine UK
Channel Nine

Channel Nine UK has breached broadcasting rules for airing political advertisements, which are prohibited under the Communications Act 2003.

The ten items were shown during February and March 2013 in which the broadcaster stated that no money or other consideration had been sought or offered in return.

The broadcaster told Ofcom that it accepted that all of the items did appear to be politically biased.

Ofcom has put, the channel’s owners, Runners TV on notice that it will treat any similar future breaches as extremely serious, and that any future breaches may be considered for the imposition of statutory sanctions.

Ofcom found the channel in breach of rules 5.5, 9.1 and rule 9.2.

Breached rules

Rule 5.5: “Due impartiality on matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy must be preserved on the part of any person providing a service (listed above). This may be achieved within a programme or over a series of programmes taken as a whole.”

Rule 9.2: “Broadcasters must ensure that editorial content is distinct from advertising.”

Rule 9.1: ���Broadcasters must maintain independent editorial control over programming.�۝