Fox News to go off-air during UK elections vote

Fox News will become the first news broadcaster in the UK to go off-air for a whole day to ensure it doesn’t breach any Ofcom rules and regulations on polling day during the General Elections.

It is not known exactly why the broadcaster has taken such a decision but BizAsiaLive.com understands that it could be down to 21st Century Fox’s buying Sky. It doesn’t want its channel, Fox News to tick off media regulator, Ofcom.

Fox News is known for its coverage of election reporting from around the world and thus it looks like it is taking out extra measures to safeguard its channel from any trouble. According to the Sky EPG, Fox News will go off-air on Thursday 8th June between 05:00 – 23:00. Polling booths will close at 22:00 and broadcasters will be free to return to normal election results show post this.

Asian news broadcasters, Geo News, Geo Tez, New Vision TV, UK 44, Dunya News, Samaa TV, Aaj Tak, ABP News, NDTV 24×7, News18 and Times Now are expected to broadcast as normal – but will need to ensure that they refrain from covering any UK election reports between 07:00 – 22:00 on polling day.

Ofcom have strict guidelines, which prevent UK broadcasters running any news items relating to the elections that could influence or sway opinion on the day of the elections.

Keep it with BizAsiaLive.com for more.