Channel S fined �40k for political adverts

Bangladesi TV service Channel S has been fined heavily for breaching the TV Advertising Code by repeatedly broadcasting a political advertisement.

The 44 messages that were shown between 18th and 22nd April this year called on electors to vote for Liberal Democratic candidates in the London mayoral and London Assembly elections held on 1st May 2008.

Media regulator Ofcom considered this to be a very serious breach of the Code and a flagrant breach of the statutory ban on political advertising.

Ofcom said in its experience no broadcaster has ever transmitted an advertisement that has been inserted by a body whose objects are so political in nature and so obviously directed at a political end.

Channel S has been fined �40,000 in total. That breakdowns as �15,000 for Channel S World Limited, �13,000 for Channel S Plus Limited and �12,000 for Channel S Global Limited. Additionally Channel S Plus Limited and Channel S Global Limited have been required to broadcast a statement of Ofcom�۪s findings on each of their respective services Channel S NTV, ATN and Channel S, in a form and at a time or times to be determined by Ofcom on two specified occasions.