Britain’s regulator turns off Iran’s Press TV

Britain’s independent media regulator has pulled the plug on Iran’s state-funded Press TV, claiming its editorial policies are controlled by Tehran.

The London-based news channel says the move was politically motivated and that the body, Ofcom, was acting at the government’s behest.

Ofcom says its decision was based on Press TV’s failure to declare that Tehran rather than London was its editorial base when it was granted the licence.

The British Foreign Office denied the government was involved but added that it had been concerned about allegations Press TV had broadcast interviews with people making confessions under duress.

The roots of the Ofcom decision lie in a ruling last month to fine Press TV for airing an unauthorised interview with an imprisoned Newsweek journalist.

The move is likely to further escalate already soaring tensions between Iran and Britain.

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