Posted on 01/22/2012 11:57:08 AM PST by bayouranger
Britain's telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, revoked the license of Iranian state-owned television Press TV over breaches of the broadcasting code. Press TV has fired back, calling the move "questionable" and stating that the real intention is to undermine the political messages of the channel.
Ofcom's decision outlines that in order to obtain a British broadcasting license, the Britain-based branch must have control over the content of its programs. The decision charges that the real editorial decisions of London-based Press TV Ltd. are actually made by Press TV International, which follows the dictates of the Iranian government. Press TV Ltd. was also fined £100,000 last month for a 2009 violation of "broadcasting an interview under duress," when the company conducted an interview with detained Newsweek correspondent Maziar Bahari. Press TV Ltd. failed to pay or even respond to the fine.
Press TV has countered that the allegations are a way "to conceal the truth from the people of Britain," concerning British imperialism and supposed corruption in the royal family. However, the action is more probably linked to statements from a February 2010 Wikileaks document, describing Britain's desire for diplomatic retaliation against Iran's blocking of British and European stations. "HMG [Her Majesty's Government] is exploring ways to limit the operations of the IRIB's Press TV service, which operates a large bureau (over 80 staff) in London," the leaked cable said, linking future actions to sanctions on the Iranian government.
Diplomatic retaliation may also provide a reason for the December 2010 freezing of the media group's accounts by Britain's National Westminster Bank. But well-known British Muslim activist and Press TV correspondent Lauren Booth claimed that the account freezing was part of a secretive campaign by "Zionist organizations" to stop anti-Western and anti-Israel programming.
Though it serves as a mouthpiece for the Iranian regime, American Islamists routinely appear on Press TV, often criticizing American government policies or bemoaning life in America for Muslims.
Spain and every other nation should take notes.
OH NO. Iran won't let them in??? What can we do about this?
I guess that means we should ban every channel in America for being run by commies. lol.
It’s all fun & games Lauren, until the day your British passport/citizenship isn’t recognized.
Oh Noooo! Where will the trooofers get their trooof? There is always Russian TV.
BBC should take notes.
People like Lauren Booth are the worst type of hypocrites.
Has she ever reported (on Press TV) on public floggings, providing narcotics to & raping of boys & girls in Iranian prisons, sex trade between UAE & Iran in a form of exporting young Iranian boys & girls (I’ve read the ones between 12 & 16 yrs of age are most popular), stoning of women & men, public hangings, or how come the mullah sponsors of Press TV are billionaires while a good majority in Iran live well below the poverty line? Or, does she think the world revolves around stopping anti-Western, anti-Israeli propaganda?
I bet the mullahs & their minions are lining her pockets, never mind her other parts.
If she is only an idealist (”British Muslim activist”), then she is simply stupid (btw - am being kind to Ms booty Lauren Booth).
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