Hindi news channel ‘Republic Bharat’ fined by UK regulator for hate speech

Republic Bharat, the Hindi news channel arm of Republic TV, was fined £ 20,000 (roughly Rs 19 lakh) on Tuesday from the UK communications regulator’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) for broadcasting content that it included “offensive language”, “non-textualized hate speech”. “And” abusive or derogatory treatment of people, groups, religions or communities. “

The channel has also been asked to air an apology.

The fine was imposed with reference to the channel’s daily news program. Poochta hai bharat, presented by Arnab Goswami on September 6, 2019.

According to the Ofcom statement, the discussion featured in the episode centered on India’s attempt to send the Chandrayaan 22 spacecraft to the moon on July 22, 2019. The discussion between Mr. Goswami and the invited contributors centered on relations between India and Pakistan.

“This included a discussion on India’s history of space exploration and other technological advances compared to Pakistan, the ongoing dispute between Pakistan and India over Kashmir, and Pakistan’s alleged involvement in terrorist activities against Indian targets,” the statement said.

Giving more details, the statement said that the guests, referring to the Pakistani people, commented: “Your scientists, doctors, leaders, politicians, they are all terrorists. Even your athletes. All the children are terrorists there. Every child is a terrorist. It is a terrorist entity ”.

Mr. Goswami, addressing Pakistan, also proclaimed: “We make scientists, you make terrorists.”

The sanctions were imposed on Worldview Media Network Limited, which owns the license to broadcast Republic Bharat in the UK.

The decision on the breach of the Ofcom code was made on February 24 this year and the fine was imposed on Tuesday.

“The Ofcom executive discovered that this program contained non-textualized hate speech and that this content was potentially highly offensive,” the statement said.