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| Image: BizAsia.co.uk |
Source/Credit: Media 27/7 | UK
By Lakhvinder Baddhan | October 11, 2010
Media regulator Ofcom has found Ummah Channel in breach after it received over 1,000 complaints over "hate" programming.
All of the complainants from the Ahmadiyya community expressed significant concern that, in effect,the content of the programmes amounted to a "hate campaign" against them and that it would lead to the incitement of violence.
The Ahmadiyya community is a comparatively small Islamic movement that grew out of mainstream Islam in the nineteenth century, whose followers believe themselves to be true Muslims.
Ofcom received 1,026 complaints from members of the community.
Followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad are known as Ahmadis or Qaadyanis or Ahmadiyya. The complainants expressed serious concerns about the programmes Khatm-e-Nubuwwat (571 complaints received); Seal of the Prophets (173 complaints received); and Bahaar e-Shariat (282 complaints received) broadcast on the Ummah Channel.
According to Ofcom, there was evidence that the complaints were part of an orchestrated campaign.
The Ummah Channel made an unreserved apology for any offence caused by the broadcast of these three programmes detailed above. The channel stressed it was never the intention of the Ummah Channel to cause any distress or offence as this was not the mission of the channel. Further, the broadcaster stated that it did not support or condone the opinions which were delivered by independent scholars during 'live' phone -in shows.
Consequently the broadcaster confirmed that it had transmitted an on-air apology of several occasions.
In addition, the broadcaster stated it was implementing a number of procedures to ensure that material of a similar nature could not be broadcast again. These were: "all live transmissions that have a viewer interactive strand within the programme will be watched by staff who have a thorough understanding of the aspects of compliance and will, should it prove necessary, mute any broadcast prior to being allowed on air. This will include a 30 second delay to broadcast"
Ofcom welcomed the broadcaster's apology and the steps it had taken to ensure that going forward such programmes are fully compliant with the Code. However, given the points set out above Ofcom considers that the broadcaster was in breach of Rule 4.2. Ofcom advise all broadcasters producing religious programmes to ensure that, when discussing the views and beliefs of either followers of the same religion or followers of other religions, they ensure those views and beliefs are not subject to abusive treatment.
Read original post here: Ummah Channel in trouble over "hate" programming
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