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Sheffield radio station suspended over “terror talks”

Ofcom has found that Iman FM, a community radio station in Sheffield, has committed an extremely serious breach of the Broadcasting Code in broadcasting material likely to incite or encourage the commission of crime or to lead to disorder.

Given the nature and seriousness of the breach, Ofcom has exercised its powers under section 111B of the Broadcasting Act 1990 to suspend Iman FM’s licence. It has landed in hot water over a broadcast of lectures by radical American Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki. However, Iman FM said it was not aware of Awlaki’s background. His sermons are thought to have inspired terrorist attacks including the attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris in 2015 in which 12 people died and the 2009 Fort Hood shootings, in which 13 US soldiers were killed.

Iman FM now has 21 days in which to make representations to Ofcom about the matters contained in the Suspension Notice.

Depending upon the consideration of any further representations, Ofcom may decide either to lift the suspension or to revoke Iman FM’s licence.