CANTERBURY, England — Britain’s broadcasting watchdog has fined Noor TV, an Islamic TV channel, $132,490 for inciting violence after a program host said it was acceptable, and even a duty, for Muslims to murder anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad.
In a statement, the regulator known as Ofcom said the fine was imposed due to the serious nature of statements made by a presenter May 3, 2012.
Noor TV broadcasts in English, Urdu and Punjabi. It is based in Birmingham, England, and owned by Al Ehya Digital Television.
On the program in question, “Paigham-e-Mustafa,” which means “Message from Mustafa,” presenter Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami answered questions from viewers about a wide range of issues relating to Islam.
One caller asked in Urdu what punishment was due for anyone showing disrespect to the Prophet Muhammad.
Nizami looked straight into the camera and replied: “One has to choose one’s own method. … The mission of our life is to protect the sanctity of our beloved Lord. May Allah accept us wherever there is a need to kill a blasphemer. We are ready, and should be ready at all times, to kill a blasphemer.”
In addition to imposing a fine, Ofcom ordered the TV station not to repeat the segment and to broadcast a statement of its findings.
Al Ehya Digital fired Nizami in May for promoting personal political opinions and supporting a violent act.
In its statement, Ofcom said Al Ehya Digital has not yet broadcast an apology or condemnation of Nizami’s remarks and appears not to have recognized the gravity of the comments made by Nizami.
But despite this, the regulator levied Al Ehya Digital a fraction of the $389,677 it could have been fined because it wished to protect the station’s right to “freedom of expression.”
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