The broadcasting regulator Ofcom is investigating a Muslim television station that is accused of promoting divisive and hardline views in Britain. Ofcom said it was “conducting an assessment of content on Islam Channel to determine whether it complies with the broadcasting code”.
The station, which claims it has 1m viewers daily, reaches 59% of British Muslims, according to government research reported in 2008. There are no recent independent figures.
The move comes as a Sunday Times investigation shows that the channel has been supported by Saudi money. The Ofcom probe follows routine monitoring of its output. The regulator has censured the channel in the past for political bias, advocating violence against women and supporting marital rape.
Its presenters include Haitham al- Haddad, a preacher described by the Quilliam think tank as “one of the most dangerous men in Britain”, Yasir Qadhi, who has said killing gay people is part of Islam, and Abu Hanifa, who said on air this month writing “Merry Christmas” was a “sin” Muslims should “avoid”. [The Times (£)] Read more
