Radio Asian Fever
Coverage of the European Elections, 10 May 2009, 18:00
Introduction
Radio Asian Fever (also known as Fever 107.3 FM) is an Asian community radio station based in Leeds which is owned and operated by Radio Asian Fever Ltd (“the Licensee”). The UK European parliamentary election took place on 4 June 2009 and the official election (or run up) period for this poll commenced on 28 April 2009. On 12 May 2009 Ofcom received a complaint that a political programme broadcast on Radio Asian Fever on 10 May 2009 was presented by Radio Asian Fever’s Project Director, who also sits on the Licensee’s board, and featured a local Labour councillor and a Labour candidate for the European parliamentary elections. It was claimed that the presenter and the two Labour representatives all encouraged listeners to vote Labour. The complainant was concerned that the Licensee showed political bias by only featuring a Labour councillor and Labour MEP candidate on the programme during an election period.
On receiving the complaint Ofcom immediately contacted the licensee to ensure that it fully understood its obligation under the impartiality requirements of the Code and, in particular, the rules that apply to broadcasting at the time of an election.
Ofcom subsequently requested comments from the Licensee on how this programme complied with Rule 6.1 (the application of impartiality requirements during the time of elections) and Rule 6.2 (due weight must be given to the coverage of major parties during the election period) of the Code.
Breach of Rule 6.2 – Due weight to the coverage of political parties in elections. Breach of Rule 6.1 – Due Impartiality at the time of Elections
Jabbar, Asian Fever’s Station Manager reflects on the experience: At the European Election’s we were informed that Labour’s two seats were under threat from the BNP, and the community leaders from the Mosques and Centre’s all suggested that Fever should broadcast this concern and we did, without thinking or referring to Ofcom’s Code.
Well, l never thought that anyone from our local community would complain about interviewing the Labour candidate, especially against the BNP, but l was wrong and didn’t even realise that even for the European Election we had to give equal airtime to other main parties.
No one talked or even mentioned the European Elections and we had never covered them before. Always refer to Ofcom’s Code Book and if in doubt then simply refuse, it’s your licence and your risk. l simply got carried away with talk of the BNP winning seats, which is quite frightening for any Asian or non white, but on the other hand we also refuse extreme religious Muslim parties. We tried to correct our mistake by inviting the two other main parties, though we were still found to be in breach. Luckily for us there was no fine, just a lesson we have learned. Never decide on the spot, take time to reflect on the information or request and then consider the consequences.
You can read the full judgement at the Ofcom website: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb139/
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