News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

UK News

Christian TV channel Loveworld fined after airing Covid conspiracy theories

by Press Association
loveworld logo.jpg - Banner image

Christian satellite TV channel Loveworld has been fined £125,000 after it aired unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about coronavirus.

An investigation by Ofcom found a 29-hour programme, the Global Day of Prayer, breached broadcasting rules by presenting “potentially harmful” claims about Covid-19.

It is the second time in a year the watchdog has ruled against the channel for statements made on air about the virus.

The programme, which aired from 1st December 2020, contained claims the pandemic is a “planned” event created by the “deep state” for nefarious purposes and that the vaccine is a “sinister” means of administering “nanochips” to control and harm people.

Other claims included the debunked conspiracy theory linking the cause of Covid-19 to the rollout of 5G technology.

Ofcom had previously ordered Loveworld not to repeat the programme and to broadcast a summary of its decision three times in a day.

It has now ordered the further sanction of a fine after concluding the breaches were “serious, repeated and reckless”.

A statement from Ofcom said: “Loveworld’s failure to put these unsubstantiated statements into context risked serious harm to its audience.

“They had the potential to undermine confidence in public health measures put in place to tackle Covid-19 – at a time when cases, hospital admissions and deaths were rising in the UK, and when people were looking for reliable information given advances in the vaccination programme.”

Loveworld is a religious television channel broadcast on satellite to a UK audience, from an Evangelical Christian denomination with a global network of churches.

Loveworld has been contacted for comment.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate