THE broadcasting watchdog has launched an investigation into Alex Salmond’s TV show.
Ofcom is examining whether the former First Minister’s debut on a Kremlin propaganda channel breached guidelines on accuracy and “materially misled” viewers.
The November 16 episode of the Alex Salmond Show on RT proved controversial because of a series of “tweets” Mr Salmond read out on air.
Mr Salmond claimed there had been an “avalanche” of messages from the public.
However one tweet was attributed to an account that had never posted, another to an account that had yet to post the tweet, and one was from the show’s series director.
After a complaint, Ofcom has opened an investigation into whether the show breached rule 2.2 of its broadcasting code, which says “factual programmes or items or portrayals of factual matters must not materially mislead the audience”.
The Alex Salmond Show is made by Slàinte Media Ltd, a company set up by Mr Salmond and his fellow former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh.
Mr Salmond has previously said he has complete editorial control over its content.
He has also defended his decision to host a show on RT, which is registered in the US as an arm of the Russian government, by pointing out it is regulated by Ofcom.
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “Not only is Alex Salmond struggling to find guests for his new show, he’s struggling to find people who will engage with it.
“It’s no surprise that Ofcom are investigating it.
“The problems are already mounting for the former First Minister, and it’s about time he gave up on this disastrous venture.”
A Labour source said: "If Ofcom need any evidence of past behaviour regrading Alex Salmond and inaccuracy, they could refer to the 2014 White Paper or his promise to scrap council tax back in 2007."
The investigation is expected to last up to 50 working days, with a full report in the spring.
Ofcom can apply a range of sanctions if it considers there has been a breach, including warnings and fines, and, in the most extreme cases, taking channels off air.
A spokesperson said: “We are investigating whether this programme breached our rules on due accuracy.”
A spokesperson for Slàinte Media said: “This is an investigation by Ofcom into a single complaint in relation to tweets and messages used on the first edition of The Alex Salmond Show.
“As we said when the complaint was first made public on 17th November, we will be happy to co-operate with the Ofcom investigation and are confident of a satisfactory outcome.
“It is worth noting that the same Ofcom bulletin, which includes this investigation also lists nine other investigations into other broadcasting organisations in a two-week period, including into BBC and ITV programmes.
"In addition, there are 18 other specific complaints to Ofcom listed concerning the BBC which have yet to complete the BBC's internal complaints process.”
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