British communications watchdog has punished several minor channels for allowing extremist attitudes to air unchallenged
Fringe Muslim television channels in the UK have been reprimanded for allowing extremists to say their views unchallenged, such as gay people should be tortured.
Regulatory watchdog OFCOM has found the stations broke the broadcasting code by allowing the extreme opinions to be aired.
In one case, a female presenter said homosexuals should be beaten and tortured for the ‘evil, shameful act’.
The Radio Asian Fever host, named ‘Sister Ruby Ramadan’ said: ‘Torture them; punish them; beat them and give them mental torture.’
Radio Asian Fever, based in Leeds, England, was fined £4000 ($6300, €4600) for allowing it to air.
Another broadcast by Noor TV was criticised by Ofcom for ‘serious breaches’, and highlighted how inflammatory talk can incite violence.
The show said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death. No one disagrees about this.’
While the channels have small audiences compared with the mainstream, Ofcom said it does not matter when it comes to the breaching of broadcasting guidelines.
‘The majority of Islamic channels comply with our rules,’ an Ofcom spokesman said.
‘However, where we identify issues through our monitoring or complaints we investigate fully and take firm enforcement action.’
Speaking to GSN, a British Muslims for Secular Democracy spokesman said they gave their ‘unequivocal support’ to Ofcom’s investigation.
They said: ‘While freedom of speech is an important right in a democratic society, action must be taken against those who incite violence or hatred against any other group.
‘As broadcasters whose opinions are conveyed to Muslims across the world, these people are in a powerful position.
‘Therefore, they must bear total responsibility for every single word that leaves their lips (or their keyboards).’
Omar Kuddus, a Muslim LGBT rights advocate, said the Islamic channels has ‘no true representation of Islam or its tolerance for homosexuality as per the Quran.’
‘The views are unfounded and go against the principles of Islam and cannot be condoned by any true Muslim,’ he told GSN.
‘Our religion is about peace and love, it is their duty not to persecute, not to judge. Have they forgotten that?’
Fringe Muslim television channels in the UK have been reprimanded for allowing extremists to say their views unchallenged, such as gay people should be tortured.Regulatory watchdog OFCOM has found the stations broke the broadcasting code by allowing the extreme opinions to be aired.
In one case, a female presenter said homosexuals should be beaten and tortured for the ‘evil, shameful act’.
The Radio Asian Fever host, named ‘Sister Ruby Ramadan’ said: ‘Torture them; punish them; beat them and give them mental torture.’
Radio Asian Fever, based in Leeds, England, was fined £4000 ($6300, €4600) for allowing it to air.
Another broadcast by Noor TV was criticised by Ofcom for ‘serious breaches’, and highlighted how inflammatory talk can incite violence.
The show said: ‘There is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death. No one disagrees about this.’
While the channels have small audiences compared with the mainstream, Ofcom said it does not matter when it comes to the breaching of broadcasting guidelines.
‘The majority of Islamic channels comply with our rules,’ an Ofcom spokesman said.
‘However, where we identify issues through our monitoring or complaints we investigate fully and take firm enforcement action.’
Speaking to GSN, a British Muslims for Secular Democracy spokesman said they gave their ‘unequivocal support’ to Ofcom’s investigation.
They said: ‘While freedom of speech is an important right in a democratic society, action must be taken against those who incite violence or hatred against any other group.
‘As broadcasters whose opinions are conveyed to Muslims across the world, these people are in a powerful position.
‘Therefore, they must bear total responsibility for every single word that leaves their lips (or their keyboards).’
Omar Kuddus, a Muslim LGBT rights advocate, said the Islamic channels has ‘no true representation of Islam or its tolerance for homosexuality as per the Quran.’
‘The views are unfounded and go against the principles of Islam and cannot be condoned by any true Muslim,’ he told GSN.
‘Our religion is about peace and love, it is their duty not to persecute, not to judge. Have they forgotten that?’
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