THE broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into claims that a Lib Dem election candidate for the London Assembly has broken election law by just utterly ignoring the relevant act.
Political adverts featuring a City & East constituency candidate, are alleged to have been paid for out of campaigning funds. It would, if true, be a major breach of the Communication Act, which bans all political advertising.
The commercials were said to have been aired on several Bangladeshi satellite TV channels on Monday night (April 21).
These channels are watched by tens of thousands of people of Bangladeshi origin across London and particularly in the City and East constituency, which includes Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking.
Local people have complained to Ofcom about the advert, which, I am told (although I haven't seen it, so usual health warning) also contains a vote Paddick for Mayor message.
Political advertising is prohibited under the 2003 Communications Act as well as the TV Advertising Standards Code.
The East London Advertiser reports that an Ofcom spokesman has confirmed:
"Ofcom is urgently investigating a complaint which claims that a political advertisement has been transmitted on Channel S, Channel S NTV and ATN."
A Lib Dem spokesman said today:
"We are looking into the situation to find out what has happened."
And it won't just be the Liberal Democrats who are in the mire over this one. The TV channels themselves could be faced with a hefty fine as well. Last year The Islam Channel was handed a £30,000 fine for breaching the code of conduct relating to elections.
This case doesn't appear to be so much a breach as a complete demolition.
Oops
