Ofcom launches investigations into Russia's RT network

The UK's communications watchdog has launched seven new investigations into Russian international television network RT regarding the due impartiality of its news and current affairs programming.

Ofcom's new investigations, which follow questions posed by the watchdog in March as to whether the RT was fit and proper to hold a broadcast license considering its direct funding from the Russian state's public budget, came as the regulator perceived a change in the broadcasting standards of TV Novosti, the company that broadcasts RT in the UK.

Ofcom said that, until recently, TV Novosti's overall compliance record had "not been materially out of line" with other broadcasters, but in the wake of the Salisbury nerve agent attack, the industry body had observed a "significant increase in the number of programmes broadcast on RT that it felt warranted an investigation into potential breaches of its broadcasting code".

"We will announce the outcome of these investigations as soon as possible," Ofcom announced on Wednesday.

"In relation to our fit and proper duty, we will consider all relevant new evidence, including the outcome of these investigations and the future conduct of the licensee."

In response to Ofcom's original investigation, Russia's foreign ministry warned the UK that "not a single British media outlet will work in our country" if the RT was to be cut in the UK.