Concerns that Muslim satellite channels 'broadcasting hate speech'

Young Britons could be getting radicalised by satellite television channels that the broadcast regulator may struggle to monitor as they are in obscure dialects, the Commons has heard.

Labour's Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) said some satellite TV channels are broadcasting hate speech into the UK in numerous languages and rare dialects.

She called on the Government to help the regulator Ofcom monitor these channels as they may be radicalising people in Britain, citing a specific example of a programme inciting hatred against a particular Muslim community.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said Ofcom is currently investigating complaints of that nature.

During culture questions in the Commons, Ms McDonagh asked him: "On December 22 Geo TV broadcast a programme entitled Hatred Against The Ahmadi Muslim Community and five days later an Ahmadi Muslim was murdered in Gujranwala, Pakistan.

"We know that Ofcom have an enormous job to do given the large number of satellite TV channels that come into the UK in many different languages and in very many small-in-size dialects.

"What help can the Government give Ofcom to actually monitor the hatred that might be leading to radicalisation of some of our young people in the UK?"

Mr Vaizey replied: "Ofcom does important work in this area and it is worth recording that they fined Takbeer Television £25,000 for abusing the Ahmadis and also required them to broadcast a summary of Ofcom's decision.

"They are investigating some complaints that have been raised recently, they will assess them as quickly as possible and come to a conclusion."

An Ofcom spokesman said the regulator has experienced translators for non-English channels.

He said: "Ofcom has strict rules forbidding the broadcast of harmful extremist material and hate speech over the airwaves.

"This is a matter we take extremely seriously and when broadcasters break our rules we take robust enforcement action, which can range from fines to revoking licences.

"We also have targeted monitoring of programming to ensure compliance with the Broadcasting Code and use experienced translators for content not broadcast in English.

"We have already fined one UK TV station £25,000 for abusing the religious beliefs of Ahmadis, and two others a total of £170,000 for broadcasting hate speech."