Fox News Banned in UK?

Did you know Fox News was banned August 2017?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/06/03/why-donald-trump-cant-watch-fox-news-britain/

I didn't know, but am not entirely surprised. If you read the article, it doesn't say the channel was banned. It says they stopped broadcasting because nobody was watching. There's a difference.

Sky Broadcasting stopped carrying Fox November 1, but it was partly due to an Ofcom ban in August.  Also partly due to "low ratings."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41887613

No, that's backwards. From that BBC article:

Quote :

Fox News is a channel originating in the US which stopped broadcasting on Sky in the UK in August and surrendered its licence to Ofcom on 1 November.

Sky said the decision to axe the channel was down to low audience figures.

Ofcom said it was "appropriate" to publish its rulings against Fox News, even though it is no longer a licensed television service falling under its jurisdiction.

Eh, maybe you're right.

Anyway, my respect for the Brits has gone up several notches.

Ofcom is not beloved of many people. But at least it tries to maintain some standards in broadcasting. There doesn't seem to be any equivalent in the US, which is why quality has raced downwards in various areas, news most obviously.

richard09 wrote:

Ofcom is not beloved of many people. But at least it tries to maintain some standards in broadcasting. There doesn't seem to be any equivalent in the US, which is why quality has raced downwards in various areas, news most obviously.

Maybe we need one.

Wikipedia wrote:

Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the television, radio, telecoms and postal sectors. It has a statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the public from harmful or offensive material.

Sounds like the closest equivalent may have been the Fairness Doctrine:

Wikipedia wrote:

The fairness doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented. The demise of this FCC rule has been considered by some to be a contributing factor for the rising level of party polarization in the United States.