PTV Global found in breach of Kashmir news item

PTV Global has been found in breach of a news item it featured about the current unrest in the Indian state of Kashmir.

The item, which aired in February, included several critical remarks about the treatment of Kashmiris by the Indian military in the state of Kashmir. Ofcom commissioned an independent translation of the programme and gave the channel an opportunity to comment on its accuracy.

PTV Global did not respond to Ofcom’s request to comment on the findings. Ofcom understands that PTV Global reports news from a Pakistani perspective to Pakistani viewers in the UK and Europe and takes a robust approach to reporting India’s policies towards Kashmir. However, in doing so, it was incumbent upon PTV Global to ensure that it provided alternative viewpoints either within the news programme itself or in subsequent programmes.

However, the news coverage in question did not contain any alternative views, which could be reasonably judged as reflecting that of the Indian Government or of those holding an alternative viewpoint. In addition, there was no indication in the news programme that any alternative viewpoint would be reflected in subsequent programmes.

For those reasons Ofcom did not consider PTCL had preserved due impartiality in this news coverage. Ofcom’s Decision is that the item breached Rule 5.1 of the Code.