Ofcom has imposed a financial penalty of £175,000 on Word Network Operating Company Inc. (“the Licensee”) in relation to its service The Word Network for failing to comply with our broadcasting rules.
On 24 May 2024, the Licensee broadcast an episode of Peter Popoff Ministries, a religious programme presented by Peter Popoff. Ofcom found that the programme contained potentially harmful claims that by contacting the presenter’s ministry, or by ordering its “Miracle Spring Water”, viewers could improve serious health conditions or financial difficulties. Ofcom was particularly concerned that the programmes included repeated statements and testimonials about the efficacy of the water, claiming or strongly implying the water cured serious illnesses.
While having regard to the broadcaster’s and audience’s rights to freedom of expression and religion, we considered the claims that contacting the ministry, or using its “Miracle Spring Water” were effective ways to improve serious medical illnesses or financial difficulties improperly exploited the susceptibilities of viewers and had the potential to cause harm without the Licensee providing adequate protection. Further, we considered the likelihood of harm to viewers was increased significantly by the frequency at which the “Miracle Spring Water” was promoted during the programme.
Our Decision published on 7 October 2024 found these programmes to be in breach of Rules 2.1, 4.6 and 9.4 of the Broadcasting Code.
This was the third time that episodes of Peter Popoff Ministries broadcast on The Word Network were found in breach of the Code. In March 2025, Ofcom imposed a financial penalty of £150,000 on the Licensee for two episodes of the programme broadcast in May 2023. Concurrent to this sanction (for the programme broadcast in May 2024), we have also imposed a further financial penalty of £150,000 on the Licensee for four episodes of the programme broadcast in December 2023. In all cases, the programmes promoted and contained similar claims about the efficacy of “Miracle Spring Water”.
In light of the above, Ofcom considered the breaches in the programme broadcast in May 2024 to be serious, repeated and reckless and therefore has imposed a financial penalty of £175,000 on the Licensee.