UK Sikh Channel “Sangat TV” Falls Foul Of OFCOM

sangattv001BIRMINGHAM, UK—Sikh religious and cultural service, Sangat TV has been rapped by Ofcom for broadcasting a video, which was deemed offensive.

A viewer complained to Ofcom about the song called ‘Jinde Sukha Anthem’ by Tigerstyle, which aired in August last year. The complainant considered that the video glorified the actions of two Sikh nationalists Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha (“Jinda” and “Sukha” respectively). These two men, who were members of the Khalistan Commando Force, were hanged in 1992 for the assassination of General Arun Shridhar Vadiya, the Chief of the Indian Army responsible for Operation Bluestar in 1984. They were also found responsible for the murder of two Indian politicians.

Sangat TV said it had “removed” the music video from its schedule “pending further investigation into the matter”. It said that the music video was “a promotional extract” of the Punjabi language cinema film ‘The Mastermind – Jinda Sukha’, which was due to be released in UK cinemas in September 2015. It added that ‘The Mastermind – Jinda Sukha’ was of “significant historic value to the Punjabi community worldwide”. In addition, it said that it had received no remuneration for broadcasting the music video and that it makes no “financial gain from promotional videos and/or advertisements that are deemed to be in the interest of the community”.

Before broadcasting the music video the Licensee said that is editorial team had “confirmed with the local agents of the movie” that the video included extracts from the film and as such “had been approved by the BBFC for public screening”. The Licensee stated its understanding was that “any movie or an extract of a movie cleared by the BBFC for public screening and where the audio version of it was also being broadcast over the UK radio stations, would be suitable for public broadcast on Sangat TV as well.” It added that it was “confused as to how a movie cleared by BBFC for public screening could fall foul of Ofcom guidelines and would appreciate Ofcom educating us on this matter, to ensure that no incidents such as this recurs in the future.”

Ofcom concluded that it found Sangat TV in Breach 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code based on the following two reasons:

Ranjit-BawaFirstly, Sangat TV said that this music video was a “promotional extract” from a film, which was “of significant historic value to the Punjabi community worldwide”. Ofcom recognised that, as a channel targeted at the Sikh community in the UK, Sangat TV would want, and has the editorial freedom, to broadcast content that is of interest to Sikhs. However, in doing so, the Licensee has a responsibility to ensure that any material it chooses to broadcast, which may cause offence, is justified by the context. In this case Ofcom was of the view that there was insufficient context to mitigate the offence which this video may have caused.

Second, Ofcom noted the Licensee’s comments that, as the music video “was a promotional extract” of a Punjabi language movie and included extracts from that film it therefore had been “approved by the…BBFC for public screening”. Sangat TV confirmed its understanding was that “any movie or an extract of a movie cleared by the BBFC for public screening and where the audio version of it was being broadcast over UK radio stations would be suitable for public broadcast on Sangat TV as well”. In this case, the BBFC did not classify this music video.
Further, because the BBFC has classified a feature film this does not mean that a licensee can broadcast extracts from that film in a different context and consider that this material would necessarily comply with the Code. Ofcom therefore was greatly concerned that because the Licensee considered that BBFC approval for the film itself (but not the music video) was sufficient for its compliance purposes, Sangat TV only checked the music video “briefly” prior to broadcast.

 

4 COMMENTS

  1. It is very obvious that the Indian Hinduvta are monitoring all Sikh TV channels looking to be offended and ready to write to Ofcom – their idea is to bankrupt Sikh channels with fines so that they can control the media with Badals channel PTC Punjabi and of course right wing Fox analogues such as NDTV. I wonder under the freedom of information act whether Ofcom can be asked to declare how many complaints they have received across the board for Sikh TV channels and whether the complainants are the same people and indeed how many of these complaints have been found to be spurious or unfounded? The film should be released on DVD immediately with the publicity that it is banned in India and Ofcom are also trying to suppress it – but then again if it has been passed by the BBFC maybe Ofcom cannot ban its broadcast. I think the whole ‘context’ issue should be looked at if that is a loophole to be exploited. Also RSS Harinder what were you doing when this video that offended Hinduvta sensibilities was broadcast?

  2. It It appears that the OFCOM may be under pressure from MODI GOVT. and the RSS,
    They have taken so prompt action against ONE Cpmplaint. WHAT about the thousands killed during
    The HOLOCOST of JUNE 1984 in INDIA,[ PUNJAB]

  3. Offensive to who ? RSS agents!
    Jinda and Sukha are martyers and will always remain that. If fighting for your rights is offensive to some that is there problem.
    M Singh – if you can please give your views.

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