Ofcom rules Panjab TV breached Code after travel show promoted tour operator
Ofcom has found Panjab TV in breach of its broadcasting rules after a travel programme was judged to have given undue prominence to a commercial brand.
The ruling followed a complaint concerning an episode of ‘The Pear Travel Show’, a 30-minute travel discussion programme. The episode, presented by Reema Virdee, featured an interview with Mandeep Singh, a director of Pear Travel Limited, a tour operator. During the interview, the discussion focused on the company’s tour packages to Malaysia and Bali, as well as the background of the business.
According to Ofcom, the programme included references that effectively promoted the guest’s tour operator business. The regulator considered that this amounted to undue prominence being given to a commercial product or service within editorial content.
Initially, Panjab TV did not respond to Ofcom’s request for comment. As a result, the regulator prepared and issued a Preliminary View to the broadcaster. In its subsequent response, the licensee apologised for what it described as the “error in airing the Pear Travel Show”. The broadcaster stated that, as a relatively new operator, it had lacked detailed knowledge of certain regulatory requirements, which it said had led to the oversight.
Panjab TV also indicated that it had observed similar types of content on other channels carrying comparable programming and had therefore believed the material to be permissible. The broadcaster acknowledged that this assumption had been incorrect and accepted that it should have consulted the relevant guidelines before scheduling the programme, describing the situation as “a failure on [its] part”.
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The broadcaster said that, following the investigation, its scheduling team had reviewed the relevant regulatory guidance to ensure that similar incidents would not occur in future. It added that ‘The Pear Travel Show’ was removed from the schedule immediately after the investigation began and emphasised its commitment to full compliance with the Broadcasting Code.
In reaching its decision, Ofcom noted the broadcaster’s acknowledgement of the error and its apology, as well as its assurance that steps had been taken to ensure future compliance. Nevertheless, the regulator concluded that the programme had breached Rule 9.5 of the Broadcasting Code, which prohibits the undue prominence of products, services or trade marks within programming.
While acknowledging the broadcaster’s commitment to improved compliance, Ofcom also expressed concern about Panjab TV’s approach to editorial oversight. In particular, the regulator highlighted the broadcaster’s admission that it lacked detailed knowledge of certain regulatory requirements and appeared to rely on what it considered comparable content broadcast by other channels as a guide to compliance.
Ofcom reminded Panjab TV Ltd that, under the terms of its broadcasting licence, it is responsible for ensuring that all of its programming complies with the provisions of the Broadcasting Code.
