Satellite TV channel Loveworld has been fined by Ofcom for the second year running after it continued to breach UK broadcasting standards.
Regulator Ofcom found a programme aired in September 2021 breached the Broadcasting Code. The programmes was found to contain potentially harmful statements that solicited donations on the basis of religious faith, with claims they would improve the donor’s health, wealth and success.
Ofcom was also concerned the programme encouraged viewers to make donations regardless of affordability.
The channel was originally found in breach of the code in May, but has now been sanctioned £15,000. It must also screen details of Ofcom’s decision.
This follows a £125,000 sanction last year after the channel was found guilty of multiple breaches of the Broadcasting Code. During 2020/21 it gave airtime to multiple conspiracy theories regarding the pandemic and 5G. As the current breach is not related to the pandemic, Ofcom considered the latest case separately. The channel had previously been threated with the loss of its broadcast licence.