Channel 4 cleared over mosque investigation

By Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - Channel 4 was cleared on Monday of misleading viewers or presenting material likely to incite racial hatred following a recent undercover documentary on Britain's mosques.

Police in West Midlands had originally investigated comments made by preachers on Channel 4's Dispatches programme Undercover Mosque but later turned the focus on the documentary makers themselves.

The police said the programme had been heavily edited but after investigating the case, media regulator Ofcom said Channel 4 had dealt with the subject matter responsibly and should continue to tackle controversial subjects.

The programme featured undercover recordings from speakers which the channel described as homophobic, anti-Semitic, sexist and condemnatory of non-Muslims.

"Investigative journalism plays an essential role in public service broadcasting and is clearly in the public interest," Ofcom said in its ruling.

PUBLIC INTEREST

"Ofcom considers it of paramount importance that broadcasters, such as Channel 4, continue to explore controversial subject matter. Undercover Mosque was a legitimate investigation, uncovering matters of important public interest."

The police referred the case to Ofcom for investigation and the regulator also received 364 complaints about the programme and said these appeared to be part of a campaign.