National digital station talkRADIO has been fined £75,000 after three complaints about former presenter George Galloway were upheld by Ofcom.
The station will also have to broadcast a summary of the regulator’s findings, relating to comments made on air between March and August 2018.
The first complaint related to a discussion on the poisoning of Yulia and Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, while the second and third concerned allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.
Ofcom ruled last year that each of the three programmes failed to maintain due impartiality and had breached Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code.
Mr Galloway left the station in June last year, after comments he made on Twitter.
In making its decision to issue a fine, Ofcom said it had ‘carefully considered the nature and level of statutory sanction that should be imposed’, taking into account ‘the seriousness of the breaches, the Licensee’s representations, the Licensee’s size and financial position, and relevant precedent cases’.
“In Ofcom’s view, this sanction is appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances of this case, and should send a clear message of deterrence, both to the Licensee and also to other
broadcasters, against any future breaches of a similar nature,” the regulator said.
You can read today’s ruling from Ofcom in full here.
In all that Ofcom waffle I can’t actually find a transcript of what was said. Having listened to Galloway it was almost certainly not impartial just like most of talkRadios presenters so what was the problem? Its not the BBC! If Galloway stated some provable lies then tell us what they were. Ofcom just seem to make up the rules as they go along.
The actual transcript is here:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0025/134755/Issue-371-of-Ofcoms-Broadcast-and-On-Demand-Bulletin.pdf
I can’t see anything in that that would require any kind of sanction, never mind a £75K fine. Its well known that Galloway thinks the sun shines out of Putins backside but its a free country and he’s entitled to say it. Its up to the listeners to make up their own minds – its an adults radio station, not CBebbies FFS. Where are the sanctions against Nigel Farage on LBC with his Brexit stance or against James O’Brian on his falling hook and line for the nonsense of Carl Beech.
Actions speak louder than words and Ofcoms actions in this and other things such as rubber stamping the wholesale closure of local commercial radio demonstrate it is simply not fit for purpose.
The issue isn’t Galloway’s right to express an opinion, it’s the fact that he apparently denigrated listeners who phoned in to disagree with him (including questioning their mental health).
The rules say that a presenter can express an opinion, but they must invite alternative viewpoints to be heard, without ridiculing them.
Exactly but don’t expect those with their own agendas to understand that.
“The issue isn’t Galloway’s right to express an opinion”.
I respectfully disagree. There are plenty of talk show presenters who have colourful disagreements with their callers. Many much worse than George.
George is an anti-establishment figure who works for RT. They can’t have him expressing his opinions in public.
Who regulates the regulator?
If denigrating listeners isn’t allowed how come James Whale, Mike Graham and Christo Foufasto name a few on talkRadio haven’t been fired?
couldnt agree more. I mean what about banning blue minks ‘melting pot’.
We need to be less sensitive and unfortunately that probably means no return for George Galloway.
It’s bloody scary. The Govt is considering handing over more powers to these oppressors of free speech. “Deterrence.” WTF?! Ofcom’s attitude seems to be:
“How dare you exercise free speech George! You know your not allowed to voice opinions not approved of by the government. You’ll be quoting Orwell at us next! it’s not the done thing. Do be a good boy and keep your mouth shut in future.”
Keep at them George!
Ofcom is worse than the BBC! An arrogant mob who despise free speech. It’s time ofcom was taken down a peg or two!
In reply to mb23, how does O’Brian on LBC get away with it then?
He hardly has anyone on who would disagree with him and the ones that get through that do, he slags them off and belittles them!
Obviously some lefties get a free pass!
And he’ll block anyone on Twitter who dares to disagree with him even if you’re perfectly polite as I found out pretty quickly.
Blocked on Twitter. There’s a surprise.
It must be tough for people such as yourself to have to listen to points of view you disagree with on here and not be able to do anything about it (other than not read it obv but god forbid). I suppose you could stamp your foot and burst into tears.
Alternately we can just laugh at your pompous self-important comments.
Do change the record occasionally. You’re sounding more and more like a rather thick bot.
And you continually sound like a pompous windbag.
Still worth laughing at your stupidity though.
U know who rules when you can’t criticise them