NTV in trouble with media regulator over two incidents

Bengali entertainment channel NTV has been found in breach over two separate incidents, sponsorship rules and political party advertising.

The first breach occurred several times during programme sponsorship credits, where broadcasters are prohibited to contain advertising messages or encourage the purchase of products or services of the sponsor or a third party.

The broadcaster said that it had worked in association with a media consultancy which “was responsible” for ensuring that sponsorship credits complied with the Code. It also explained that it had terminated its contract with the company on 1st January 2013.

The broadcaster has apologised for the errors and stated that it is “doing its utmost best to follow all the rules and regulations to the best of…[its] knowledge”.

Ofcom noted the Licensee had worked in association with a media consultancy which it said “was responsible” for ensuring that sponsorship credits complied with the Code.

On a separate incident, the channel was again found in breach for airing a political advertisement on 19th January 2013, which is prohibited under Ofcom rules.

The advertisement lasted 30 seconds. The voiceover was in Bengali. The images consisted only of a single slate carrying Bengali text and three small pictures ��� one of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party logo and two photographs of figures associated with the party.

The broadcaster told Ofcom that no money or other consideration had been offered in return for its broadcast.

However, Ofcom found the broadcaster in breach of of Rules 5.5, 9.1 and 9.2.