Ofcom Accused Of 'Intellectual Terrorism'

A political analyst has accused broadcast regulatory body, Ofcom, of 'intellectual terrorism'.
This statement comes only weeks after Ofcom issued a £100k fine to Press TV for breaching broadcasting rules.
The channel said Ofcom's decision to impose a fine was "paradoxical". With Saeb Shaath, author and Middle East affairs expert accusing Ofcom of ‘State-sponsorship’.
Press TV added: "Independent analysts say Ofcom is under mounting pressure from the British royal family to silence Press TV's critical voice. The British royal family exercises an overarching power over all branches in the political system of the country, including the government and the parliament, as well as on Ofcom."
After a year-long enquiry, Ofcom ruled in May that the channel, the overseas voice of the Tehran government, was guilty of a serious breach of broadcasting standards when it broadcast comments from Mr. Bahari, who was imprisoned for four months.
The journalist said the interview was made under duress and that he was forced to read from a prepared script.
Originally Ofcom wanted to revoke the channel’s broadcasting license but due to rising tensions between Britain and the Islamic republic they downgraded the sanction to a fine.
When the TV channel was notified of the possible ban and later the fine they calimed Ofcom officials were "influenced by powerful pro-Israeli politicians and US sympathisers".
A Foreign Office Spokesperson however told The Guardian:
"We have been concerned for some time by serious allegations that Press TV has been involved in broadcasting confessions obtained under duress from individuals without access to a fair trial. It is right and proper that these allegations should have been investigated by Ofcom."
(LB)