Ofcom fines Takbeer TV �25,000 for verbal abuse

UK broadcaster Takbeer TV has been fined �25,000 for airing material that subjected members of the Ahmadi community and their beliefs to abusive treatment in June/July last year.

The channel, which targets the Sunni Muslim community in the UK and internationally, was found in breach of Rules 4.1 and 4.2 in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

Rule 4.1: ���Broadcasters must exercise the proper degree of responsibility with respect to the content of programmes which are religious programmes.�۝

Rule 4.2: ���The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination must not be subject to abusive treatment.�۝

The two shows in question that were broadcast last year were ‘Global Khatm-E-Nabuwat Movement’ ��� Broadcast on 9th June 2012 at 22:00, this was a two and a quarter hour ��phone-in�۪ programme in which a panel of four people answered telephone callers�۪ questions on issues of Islamic theology; and ‘Khatm-E-Nabuwat’ ��� Broadcast on 3rd July 2012 at 22:00, this was a two hour programme that showed the proceedings of a symposium on Islamic themes held in Luton.

Due to the serious nature of the breaches, Ofcom has imposed a financial penalty of �25,000 on Takbeer TV Limited. This is payable to HM Paymaster General.