UK TV regulator writes to RT

Britain’s media regulator Ofcom says it will “consider the implications for RT’s broadcast licenses” if it’s determined there was “an unlawful use of force by the Russian state against the UK” in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
In a statement, Ofcom said: “As the independent UK broadcasting regulator, Ofcom has an ongoing duty to be satisfied that broadcast licensees remain fit and proper to hold their licences.

“We have today written to ANO TV Novosti, holder of RT’s UK broadcast licences, which is financed from the budget of the Russian Federation. This letter explained that, should the UK investigating authorities determine that there was an unlawful use of force by the Russian State against the UK, we would consider this relevant to our ongoing duty to be satisfied that RT is fit and proper.”

“The letter to RT said that we would carry out our independent fit and proper assessment on an expedited basis, and we would write to RT again shortly setting out details of our process.”

When the threat of having its license revoked first came to light, RT said the banning of the channel would do “away with any concept of press freedom in the UK.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May gave Moscow one day on Monday to explain the alleged use of a military-grade nerve agent, which the UK claims came from Russia to poison ex-double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia. May says it’s “highly likely” Moscow was responsible.

She alleges the attack was either a direct act by the Russian state on Britain, or the Russian government allowed its nerve agent ‘Novichok’ to get into the wrong hands. “The government has concluded that it is highly likely that Russia was responsible,” she said.

After the statement in the House of Commons, Labour MP Chris Bryan asked May: “Can we just stop Russia Today [RT] broadcasting its propaganda in this country?” The PM responded by saying she would update MPs on “further measures” later this week.

The threat of banning RT led to a backlash from some on Twitter. RT contributors, viewers and members of the public speaking out against the proposal with some calling it an attack on “freedom of speech.”

READ MORE: ‘What about freedom of speech?’ Twitter fury over MPs’ calls to ban RT

Source: RT

Note: If RT is removed from British TV platforms, RT is readily available free-to-air on Hotbird at 13.0° East and Astra 1 at 19.2° East.
A live stream is also available at www.rt.com/on-air/

Position: Astra 1L 19.2°E
RT HD
Frequency (MHz): 11538
Polarization: V
Modulation: DVB-S
Symbol rate (SR); 22000
FEC: 5/6

Position: Hotbird 13.0°E
RT HD & RT Doc HD
Frequency (MHz): 12476
Polarization: H
Modulation: DVB-S2
Symbol rate (SR); 29900
FEC: 3/4

Position: Hotbird 13.0°E
RT & RT Doc (SD)
Frequency (MHz): 11317
Polarization: V
Modulation: DVB-S
Symbol rate (SR); 27500
FEC: 3/4