London Greek Radio have been investigated by Ofcom after allowing a Conservative councillor to read the news on the station, whilst local re-elections were taking place.
Andreas Tambourides, a Conservative councillor in the London Borough of Barnet was employed by LGR but the station insists Mr Tambourides did not carry out interviews and was instructed not to read any items that related to the local elections in which he was a candidate.
Ofcom asked LGR to comment in relation to Rule 5.3 which fundamentally prohibits politicians being used as newsreaders. As this was during the pending period of an election, Ofcom also requested the broadcaster?s comments in relation to Rule 6.6 which states that candidates in UK elections must not act as news presenters.
London Greek Radio responded to Ofcom by saying Andreas Tambourides was employed simply as a newsreader and only presented news bulletins that were prepared by properly qualified journalistic staff. During his employment Mr Tambourides did not carry out interviews and was instructed not to read any items that related to the local elections in which he was a candidate.
The station also pointed out that most of its news consisted of news stories from Greece , Cyprus or the relevant local community. Mr Tambourides ceased reading the news on 1 April 2006 , before Ofcom?s inquiry, and he no longer had any involvement in the news output of the station.
Read the full story on the Ofcom website by clicking here.