Ofcom has imposed a £20,000 fine on Worldview Media Network Limited in relation to its service, Republic Bharat, for failing to comply with our broadcasting rules.
On 6 September 2019, 14:26, the Licensee broadcast an episode of Poochta Hai Bharat, a daily current affairs discussion programme in Hindi.
In our Decision published on 24 February 2020 in Issue 397 of the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin (PDF, 393.8 KB), Ofcom found that the programme contained uncontextualised hate speech in breach of Rules 3.2, 3.3 and 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code.
Ofcom has imposed a sanction on the Licensee of a financial penalty of £20,000, a direction to broadcast a statement of Ofcom’s findings on a date and in a form to be determined by Ofcom, and a direction not to repeat the programme.