UK Authority Sanctions Loveworld TV Over Oyakhilome’s Claims On COVID-19

United Kingdom's broadcast regulator, Ofcom has sanctioned Loveworld Television Network, a station owned by the church overseen by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, and is now considering further penalties. 

Oyakhilome, who is the  founder and president of Loveworld Incorporated, had caused a stir when he claimed that the Coronavirus pandemic was caused by the 5G technology.

In a bulletin issued on Monday, the broadcasting authority said the claims were “harmful statements” which were not presented “with due accuracy” and are in breach of Rules 2.1 and 5.1 of the country's Broadcasting Code. 

According to Ofcom, “Loveworld News featured potentially harmful statements about the Coronavirus pandemic and adequate protection was not provided to viewers. Additionally, statements were not presented with due accuracy.

“In breach of Rules 2.1 and 5.1 of the Broadcasting Code. We have imposed a sanction on the broadcaster, requiring it to broadcast a statement of our findings. We are considering whether to impose any further sanction.

“Ofcom received a complaint that a news report from South Africa included inaccurate and unchallenged statements about the Coronavirus pandemic, alleging links to 5G technology. When assessing the programme, Ofcom identified an additional news item that included claims about the drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 (the disease caused by the Coronavirus).

“The report showed footage of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome (“Pastor Chris”), founder and president of Loveworld Incorporated,1 speaking on a stage with a diagram behind him. The diagram was of a flowchart linking ‘fear’ (caused by the pandemic) and ‘embrace’ (5G) to a vaccine. The vaccine was in turn linked in the flowchart to ‘ID2020’ and ‘NWO’.2.”

The regulator explained that the pastor’s claims had to be checked so that they do not undermine the work of the health authorities in curbing the spread of COVID-19.