The broadcasting authority in London (Ofcom)
has sanctioned a TV channel in the UK owned by one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant
evangelical pastors Chris Oyakhilomes.
has sanctioned a TV channel in the UK owned by one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant
evangelical pastors Chris Oyakhilomes.
The authority punished Chris
Oyakhilome’s Loveworld Limited, which runs the Loveworld channel that can be
viewed in the UK, “after a news programme and a live sermon included
potentially harmful claims about causes of, and treatments for Covid-19”.
Oyakhilome’s Loveworld Limited, which runs the Loveworld channel that can be
viewed in the UK, “after a news programme and a live sermon included
potentially harmful claims about causes of, and treatments for Covid-19”.
Pastor Oyakhilome tied the virus to 5
G networks and believed that it was part of a conspiracy to establish a
“new world order.”
G networks and believed that it was part of a conspiracy to establish a
“new world order.”
Such views have been strongly rejected
by scientists who claim that the notion of a connection between Covid-19 and 5G is “total garbage” and biologically unlikely.
by scientists who claim that the notion of a connection between Covid-19 and 5G is “total garbage” and biologically unlikely.
Ofcom said that the programme
“Loveworld News included unsubstantiated claims that 5G was the cause of the
pandemic, and that this was the subject of a ‘global cover-up’”.
“Loveworld News included unsubstantiated claims that 5G was the cause of the
pandemic, and that this was the subject of a ‘global cover-up’”.
Ofcom has condemned the broadcast of a
sermon that doubted the intentions of those searching for a vaccine.
sermon that doubted the intentions of those searching for a vaccine.
The UK authority said that it was not
against controversial views, but that they had to be “put into
context” and not undermine trust in the health authorities.
against controversial views, but that they had to be “put into
context” and not undermine trust in the health authorities.