British Islamic TV channel fined 85,000 pounds for inciting violence

Britain's broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has fined an Islamic television channel 85,000 pounds for inciting violence.

It ruled in December that Noor TV had breached broadcasting codes after a host said it was acceptable or even the duty of a Muslim to murder anyone who disrespected the Prophet Mohammed.

According to the BBC, Ofcom said the fine imposed now was so large due to the serious nature of the breaches, but did not revoke the channel's licence.

The programme in question, Paigham-e-Mustafa, was broadcast on 3 May 2012.

Presenter Allama Muhammad Farooq Nizami answered questions from viewers from around the world about a wide range of issues relating to Islam.

One caller asked what the punishment should be given to anyone who disrespected the Prophet Muhammad.

Nizami answered that 'there is absolutely no doubt about it that the punishment for the person who shows disrespect for the Prophet is death.'

The watchdog also ordered to broadcast a statement of its findings and must not repeat the programme.

In its defence, the channel had said rather than inciting viewers to commit murder, the presenter was asking them "to take responsibility to become involved where they see disrespect to the Prophet," the report added.