Request To Review RT License In UK Sets Dangerous Precedent - UK-Russian Think Tank
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 31, 2020 | 10:38 PM
A request to the UK broadcasting regulatory body, Ofcom, to review the RT broadcaster's license in the country, which was filed by Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens, will set "a dangerous precedent" for the freedom of speech and media, the Westminster Russia Forum, a non-profit think tank promoting bilateral ties between Moscow and London, told Sputnik
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st July, 2020) A request to the UK broadcasting regulatory body, Ofcom, to review the RT broadcaster's license in the country, which was filed by Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens, will set "a dangerous precedent" for the freedom of speech and media, the Westminster Russia Forum, a non-profit think tank promoting bilateral ties between Moscow and London, told Sputnik.
"Just a call for [RT] to be removed from the UK sets a dangerous precedent because if you think maybe six months down the line, there would probably be comparable problems arising with China in the UK. So what is next? We would kick out the Chinese media? You may disagree with the media's editorial stance, but it is still important that they are there to give their viewpoint," Nicholas Cobb, the chairman of the Westminster Russia Forum, said.
Stevens, a member of the Labour Party, previously sent a letter to Ofcom chief executive Melanie Dawes asking for the regulatory body to review the Russian broadcaster's license following the publication of the parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee's report on alleged Russian interference, which accused RT of "serious distortions" in its coverage.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has called the accusations of Russian interference discussed in the parliamentary report "fake-shaped Russophobia." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has reiterated that Russia has never interfered in electoral processes in other countries.
Recent Stories
Higher taxes, awareness help decrease cigarettes sale in Pakistan
Sindh Minister of Works and Services Ali Hassan Zardari reviews ongoing projects ..
7 ordinances laid in Senate
Implementation of Naan, Roti's revised rates being ensured
Police attack case: ATC discharges PTI leader
Ahsan Iqbal chairs CPEC JWGs, 13th JCC review-meeting
Allama Iqbal gave Muslim Ummah a new dimension of thinking, hope: Dar
SNGPL takes action against 11 gas pilferers
Five numberdars dismissed in Jhang
Industries Minister recommends urea fertilizer import to stabilize prices and su ..
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
CM lauds TCF's journey from 5 schools to 2000 across country
More Stories From World
-
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
37 minutes ago -
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
45 minutes ago -
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
37 minutes ago -
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
40 minutes ago -
India's IndiGo to buy 30 A350 planes: Airbus
40 minutes ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
45 minutes ago
-
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
54 minutes ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
54 minutes ago -
Heatstroke kills 30 in Thailand this year as Southeast Asia bakes
37 minutes ago -
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
36 minutes ago -
Car giants vie for EV crown at Beijing's Auto China show
36 minutes ago -
US economic growth slows significantly in first quarter
1 hour ago