Media
ARY Digital fined £15,000 over cancer claims
Published Thursday, Nov 1 2007, 15:33 GMT | By James Welsh
ARY Digital has been fined £15,000 by Ofcom after the channel allowed an interviewee to unduly promote scientifically unproven cancer "treatments" without evidence or challenge.
A consultant surgeon complained that claims made by a Dr Surjeet Kaur on an edition of The Weekend Show broadcast on February 18, 2006 were "potentially dangerous".
On the programme, Kaur was interviewed for 30 minutes and made various claims about ways to treat cancer, sterility, sciatica - including simply cooking with garlic. She also promoted her alternative health practice and a "special formula" capable of treating "many diseases".
Ofcom ruled that in airing the programme, ARY Digital breached three rules of the programme code pertaining to "protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material" and undue prominence.
ARY Digital UK said that its board of directors had accepted the resignation of its CEO as a result of its compliance failure and added that its compliance department has been "strengthened".
A consultant surgeon complained that claims made by a Dr Surjeet Kaur on an edition of The Weekend Show broadcast on February 18, 2006 were "potentially dangerous".
On the programme, Kaur was interviewed for 30 minutes and made various claims about ways to treat cancer, sterility, sciatica - including simply cooking with garlic. She also promoted her alternative health practice and a "special formula" capable of treating "many diseases".
Ofcom ruled that in airing the programme, ARY Digital breached three rules of the programme code pertaining to "protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material" and undue prominence.
ARY Digital UK said that its board of directors had accepted the resignation of its CEO as a result of its compliance failure and added that its compliance department has been "strengthened".
More: Media, Broadcasting
More Media News
Satellite TV News
Sky marks Jubilee with Union Jack remoteSky and One For All create universal remote celebrating the landmark UK summer.
Cable News
Pirate Bay blockade begins with VirginBT, Sky, others to follow suit, but rights groups warn it won't tackle piracy.
Freeview News
Freeview+ made easier for blind peopleRNIB develops software to make it easier for blind people to use Freeview+.
Video on Demand
'World first' social VOD service launchesThe studio behind Plan B's iLL Manors offers VOD users rewards for sharing.
