Ofcom has imposed a financial penalty of £200,000 on Loveworld Limited (“the Licensee”), in relation to its service Loveworld, for failing to comply with our broadcasting rules.
On 31 May 2024, Loveworld broadcast Echoes of Truth, a discussion programme in which youth presenters discussed a range of topical issues with a focus on Christian teachings. Ofcom found that the Programme contained potentially harmful statements about vaccines, specifically about the polio and HPV vaccines, including significant claims about vaccine safety and efficacy, without providing adequate protection to viewers. Ofcom has a duty to provide adequate protection to audiences in a way that takes into account the broadcasters’ and audiences’ fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion. However, we considered the claims broadcast during the Programme had the potential to influence viewers’ decisions about vaccinations and as such, had the potential to cause harm to audiences. Our Decision published on 31 March 2025 found this Programme failed to provide adequate protection to viewers and was in breach of Rule 2.1 of the Broadcasting Code.
Ofcom’s Sanction Decision concluded that the breach was serious and, in light of the Licensee’s previous compliance history, repeated. Therefore, Ofcom imposed a financial penalty of £200,000 on Loveworld Limited and directed it to broadcast a statement of our findings, on a date and in a form to be determined by us. Ofcom underlines to Loveworld Limited the importance of future compliance with Rule 2.1 and that any further failure to comply, could result in Ofcom giving serious consideration as to whether a contravention, if not appropriately remedied, would justify revocation of its licence.
Financial penalties imposed by Ofcom are payable to HM Paymaster General.