George Galloway radio programme fined £75,000 for Russia and anti-Semitism comments
George Galloway appears on talkRADIO. Photograph: YouTube - Credit: Archant
Ofcom has fined George Galloway's radio programme a £75,000 fine for failing to maintain impartiality in three episodes of the talkRADIO programme.
"Under Ofcom rules, all broadcasters must remain duly impartial when covering matters of major political controversy," the watchdog said.
"TalkRADIO failed to do so in three episodes of the George Galloway programme during discussions about the poisoning of Yulia and Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, and allegations of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party."
On three occasions, when audience contributions about the Skripal poisoning differed from the former MP's position, Galloway joked that the listeners who had sent in their messages were in Broadmoor psychiatric hospital.
Ofcom previously found that Galloway breached broadcasting rules by presenting allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour as a concocted means to criticise party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
You may also want to watch:
TalkRADIO previously said in a statement: "You expect robust opinions from George Galloway, but we accept that on this occasion he crossed the line. As a station we understand the need for dissenting voices with a range of counter-opinions."
The station, owned by talkSPORT, will have to broadcast a summary of Ofcom's findings.
Most Read
- 1 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 2 This chumocracy is costing our country
- 3 Bob Geldof takes swipe at No 10 saying 'lying is second nature' to them
- 4 Tory MP complains 'less scrutiny of trade deals' than when UK was in EU
- 5 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 6 No 10 says Biden removing Churchill bust ‘up to president’ despite Obama attack
- 7 Piers Morgan tells Gavin Williamson to resign for being a 'catastrophe'
- 8 Priti Patel 'may have broken ministerial code' over border comments, suggests Keir Starmer
- 9 Who's on the BBC's Question Time tonight?
- 10 Government accused of 'foolishly gambling' on Trump agreeing post-Brexit mini deal before exit
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
