Ofcom raps ATN Bangla for biased political message

ATN Bangla has been rapped by Ofcom after a complainant drew Ofcom�۪s attention to broadcast material that appeared to be an advertisement placed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Business Forum, congratulating Lutfur Rahman on his re-election as Mayor of Tower Hamlets.

The item was 30 seconds long and consisted of a single static slide featuring three photographs of Forum members, a larger photograph of Lutfur Rahman, and Bengali text. The item also carried a voiceover in Bengali.

Ofcom considered that the broadcast material in this instance served as a self-standing expression of a specific viewpoint ���generally, a viewpoint supportive of Mr Rahman and his policies ��� in relation to a matter of political controversy (i.e. the recent election held in Tower Hamlets in which Mr Rahman had been elected). The material also voiced implied support for any future policy actions taken by Mr Rahman whilst in office as mayor of Tower Hamlets. The item did not contain any alternative view that could reasonably and adequately be classed as being critical of, or in opposition to, any of Lutfur Rahman�۪s policies, record or public profile. Neither did the Licensee, in its response, identify any material broadcast on ATN Bangla that had contained any viewpoints in opposition to, or critical of, Mr Rahman and his policies.

Following a number of breaches by the Licensee of Section Nine of the Code, a meeting with the Licensee to discuss its its procedures in August 2014 at which it set out changes it would make to ensure compliance with the Code. As the material in the present case was broadcast before we met ATN Bangla, we do not intend to consider this case for sanction at this time.