RT’s broadcast license cancelled by Ofcom

British broadcasting regulation authority Ofcom has announced the cancellation of RT’s license to broadcast in the UK immediately. This has been done on the observation that the licensee of RT, is not suitable to hold a license to broadcast in the UK. The decision comes in the midst of around 29 current investigations of Ofcom about the required impartiality of RT’s coverage of news on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “We have done so on the basis that we do not consider RT’s licensee, ANO TV Novosti, fit and proper to hold the UK broadcast license,"  said the regulating authority

RT has been fined £200,000, previously for breach of due impartiality. The number and nature of the issues raised within such a minimal period of time are something to be concerned about according to Ofcom, which has started a separate investigation for determining whether ANO TV Novosti is suitable for broadcasting. The investigation has brought into light the fact that Russia funds RT and has criminalized independent journalism which has a narrative distinguished from Russia’s own about the invasion of Ukraine. It also recognizes that it is not expected of RT, given these conditions,  to comply with due impartiality guidelines of Ofcom’s broadcasting code.

RT is presently off the air in the UK due to rules imposed by the EU after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The rights of a broadcaster for freedom of expression and rights of the citizens to receive unbiased information have been recognized by Ofcom. It takes into account the public confidence and their trust in the broadcasting regulatory regime of the UK.

Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said: “We guard freedom of expression very sincerely and have set a high benchmark for action on the broadcasters. Through our separate investigation, we have found out that  RT is not suitable to hold a broadcaster license in the UK and thereby have dissolved RT’s broadcasting license”.