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Press TV loses UK licence

Tessa Reed
By Tessa Reed, Journalist
Johannesburg, 30 Jan 2012

Press TV loses UK licence

Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster's English-language outlet, has been forced off the air in the UK after Ofcom revoked its licence for breaching the Communications Act, The Guardian reports.

Ofcom found that Press TV's practice of running its editorial oversight from Tehran, Iran's capital, is in breach of broadcasting licence rules in the UK.

Press TV was also fined £100 000 after broadcasting an interview with a journalist while they were being held in an Iranian prison, which Ofcom said was “obtained under duress”, the Daily Mail writes.

Ofcom said Press TV had “indicated it is unwilling and unable to pay” the fine.

“Ofcom gave Press TV Limited the opportunity to apply to have its operations in Tehran correctly licensed by Ofcom, and Ofcom offered to assist it to do so. Press TV Limited was given the opportunity to make representations on Ofcom's 'minded to revoke' letter. Press TV Limited has failed to make the necessary application and Ofcom has therefore revoked Press TV's licence to broadcast in the UK,” The Drum quotes Ofcom as stating.

The channel is scheduled to be removed from Sky by 20 January.

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