KTV rapped by Ofcom for advertising breach during medical show

KTV has been rapped by Ofcom for a breach during a medical show in March 2019.

Homeopathic Clinic invited viewers to call in for advice on medical conditions. It was hosted by a presenter and his guest, a homeopath referred to in the programme as Dr Gorania. Ofcom received a complaint that the programme promoted the guest’s homeopathic business.

The guest made a number of other references to contacting him off-air, such as “If they want to contact us they can get our number through reception and phone us”, and “You can also leave your number with me”. He also made a series of positive statements about homeopathic medicine, for example “It’s popular, it doesn’t carry side effects. Very effective. It’s been used for hundreds of years” and “Homeopathy has a perfect solution to this”.

In response to Ofcom’s investigation, KTV said that the guest had previously been “told what the boundaries are”, but that he had been “slightly overzealous in wanting to aid those viewers watching the show”. It added that he had apologised for this, and “now understands that even though he is trying to help viewers he cannot come across as though he is promoting himself”.

KTV said that it had explained to him that “when talking to the audience he must be more specific in his words and meanings”, giving as an example the distinction between encouraging viewers to “make contact with the studio”, and inviting them to “come to the studio”. It clarified that nobody had come to the studio for the purpose of receiving health advice or treatment.

Ofcom found the broadcaster in breach of Rules 9.4 and 9.5 for promotions during programming airtime.