UK Media Watchdog Ofcom Launched 3 New Probes Into RT

UK media watchdog Ofcom said it had launched three new investigations into the RT broadcaster for breaches of content standards between April 30 and May 13.

According to the organization’s bulletin, the investigations were launched over RT’s Crosstalk and News programs, aired on April 20, April 26 and May 4.

Ofcom notes that the very fact of the beginning of the investigation does not mean that the broadcaster has committed any violation and not all investigations identify the fact of such violations.

"Our airtime is an endless source for Ofcom's investigations. They can never find what to complain about, but do not lose hope — [they] have opened three new investigations," RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan commented on the newly-opened inquiries in a tweet.

​READ MORE: Ofcom Vows to Review Possible Measures Against RT Over Skripal's Case

In April, Ofcom announced that it had opened seven investigations into the coverage of the poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in the UK town of Salisbury by RT. On May 12, the Telegraph newspaper reported that the watchdog had made a decision not to deprive RT of its broadcasting license.

"Of course the question of the status of Russia Today is not a matter for the government, it is a matter for the independent Ofcom to consider," Theresa May said in March.

RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan has suggested that if RT is deprived of its license in the UK, Russia would adopt similar measures with respect to UK media in the country. A number of Russian officials, including Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, have said that Moscow would introduce restrictive measures for UK media outlets in the event of potential anti-RT steps taken by London.