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Safeer TV fails to provide recordings to Ofcom

Safeer TV
Safeer TV

Safeer TV has been given a warning by Ofcom after it failed to provide recordings on request of the media regulator.

The Muslim religious channel was alleged to have broadcast comments made by a Muslim cleric had incited hatred against the West. Ofcom therefore requested a recording of the programme from the channel to assess the content. Despite sending a number of requests by email to the compliance contacts the channel had provided to Ofcom, it received no communication from Safeer TV and the recording was not provided.

Safeer TV apologised for the lack of communication and said this was because of organisational changes and a virus affecting its email system. It said after receiving the initial request and sending the DVD it had assumed there was no further communication from Ofcom, when in fact it was not receiving emails due to the virus. Upon receiving the latest correspondence via post, it provided the recording requested and an updated list of contacts for similar requests in the future. It had also updated its procedures to ensure Ofcom is informed of all changes and potential issues with communication.

Ofcom said it was concerned that the Safeer TV had not informed Ofcom of its new contacts at the time of the organisational change. It is important that Ofcom has up-to-date contact information so that it can contact its Licensees. Further, given that the channel appeared to be unable to receive emails for a considerable period, we were also concerned that Safeer TV did not alert Ofcom to this so that we could correspond by other methods.

Ofcom will monitor the Safeer TV’s arrangements to retain and provide recordings to Ofcom in due course, and should similar compliance issues arise, Ofcom will consider taking further regulatory action.