By James Simons-
Channel 4 News has been criticised for incorrectly naming a Leytonstone extremist as the perpetrator of the Westminster terror attack.
The broadcasting watchdog concluded that the programme was in “serious breach” of rules when it reported Abu Izzadeen was responsible for the attack, hours after the incident on March 22.
The report published today Ofcom said Channel 4 News had dedicated the first half of its show, aired at 7pm that evening, to coverage of Izzadeen.
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The watchdog received six complaints over the inaccuracy after it was confirmed that the extremist was in prison at the time of the incident.
An Ofcom spokesman said in a statement: “We found Channel 4 News committed a serious breach of broadcasting rules, after it wrongly identified the Westminster terror attacker.
“Channel 4 News incorrectly referred to the same person throughout its report, and subsequent steps to mitigate the error were insufficient.
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“This is the fourth time in three years we have found Channel 4 in breach of its requirement to report news with due accuracy.
“We are particularly concerned that another serious breach has happened, given Channel 4’s previous assurances to Ofcom that improvements to its compliance processes were being made.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The report said Channel 4 News, produced by ITN, acknowledged 35 minutes into the programme that doubts had arisen over whether Izzadeen had been the attacker.
19 minutes later, at the end of the broadcast, presenter Jon Snow said the extremist’s brother, Yousef Brooks, had told the show Izzadeen was currently serving a prison sentence.
Izzadeen, previously from Brierley Road, Leytonstone, was sentenced to 2 years in 2016 for breaking counter-terrorism restrictions by travelling abroad to Turkey. He was previously been jailed for 41/2 years after raising funds to support fundraising for terrorists and inciting terrorism abroad.
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