UK Islamic TV channel fined for inciting violence

Britain's broadcasting watchdog on Wednesday fined an Islamic television channel £85,000 ($133,000, 99,700 euros) after a presenter said anyone disrespecting the Prophet Mohammed should be killed, AFP reports. Ofcom ruled that Noor TV, which broadcasts on Sky, had breached broadcasting codes by inciting violence during a programme aired on May 3 last year. The watchdog said the size of the fine reflected the seriousness of the channel's transgression, but stopped short of revoking its licence. Presenter Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami was hosting a phone-in when he was asked what the punishment was for anyone showing disrespect for Prophet Mohammed. "There is no disagreement about this," he replied. "There is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death." Ofcom ruled that the channel, which is owned by Al Ehya Digital Television, had transmitted "material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime" and had failed to "exercise the proper degree of responsibility with respect to the content of programmes which are religious programmes."