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Ofcom said it has issued “guidance” to ITV about Eamonn Holmes’ “misjudged” comments about the discredited theory linking the coronavirus to 5G technology.
The media watchdog also imposed a sanction on ESTV for an interview on London Live with conspiracy theorist David Icke about the virus.
Currently, the organization prioritizes coronavirus cases in an attempt to stop the spread of misinformation.
Holmes received criticism last week after discussing the 5G conspiracy theory in the air.
A statement from the organization said that ITV’s This Morning host “was at risk of undermining viewers’ confidence in the advice of public authorities and scientific evidence.”
He added: “His statements were also very sensitive in light of the recent attacks on mobile phone masts in the UK, caused by conspiracy theories linking 5G technology and the virus.”
In a discussion about 5G technology, Holmes told fellow presenter Alice Beer: “I totally agree with everything he is saying, but what I do not accept is that the mainstream media immediately dismiss it as false when not they know it’s not true. “
“No one should attack, harm or do something like that, but it is very easy to say that it is not true because it fits the narrative of the state.”
The presenter added, “That’s all I would say, as someone with an inquisitive mind.”
The following day, Holmes said on the show that he would like to “clarify” his comments, adding that “there is no scientific evidence to corroborate any 5G theory.”
However, he did not apologize for the incident and said it had been “misinterpreted”.
Ofcom said he had taken his statement into account, as well as “the prominent caption that rooted the discussion in” fake news “and the context provided by Beer, who” strongly rejected “the theory.
However, he added that the guide had been issued “to ITV and its presenters.”
An Ofcom spokeswoman said: “Broadcasters have editorial freedom to discuss and challenge the approach taken by public authorities in the face of a serious public health crisis such as the coronavirus.
“However, discussions of unsubstantiated claims must be put fully in context, especially at a time when mobile phone masts in the UK are under attack, at the risk of significant harm to the public.”
The regulator also said London Live’s interview with Icke “ran the risk of causing significant harm to viewers.”
ESTV “failed in its responsibility to ensure that viewers were adequately protected,” the regulator added.
Ofcom will now consider whether to impose an additional sanction and is “ordering London Live to transmit a summary of our findings on a date and in a manner that Ofcom will decide.”
The theory that 5G is linked to Covid-19 has been widely debunked by experts.
Brendan Wren, professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, previously said that a connection between the technology and the virus would be “a physical as well as a biological impossibility.”
ITV and London Live have been contacted for comment.
– PA
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