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| Psychic TV channels fined over Michael Jackson and Milly Dowler claims | Psychic TV channels fined over Michael Jackson and Milly Dowler claims |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Two TV channels have been fined a total of £22,500 after they featured psychics making claims about Michael Jackson and Milly Dowler. | |
| Psychic Today and Big Deal were in breach of broadcasting rules after they showed a psychic telling viewers she had been involved in the police investigation into the death of the murdered schoolgirl, the regulator, Ofcom, said. | Psychic Today and Big Deal were in breach of broadcasting rules after they showed a psychic telling viewers she had been involved in the police investigation into the death of the murdered schoolgirl, the regulator, Ofcom, said. |
| Another psychic claimed she accurately predicted that her friend would become close to Jackson, before producing photographs of the pair in private locations including his recording studio. | |
| Ofcom ruled that both instances were in breach of its broadcasting code, which states that services such as astrology, horoscopes and tarot readings should be advertised as for entertainment purposes only. | Ofcom ruled that both instances were in breach of its broadcasting code, which states that services such as astrology, horoscopes and tarot readings should be advertised as for entertainment purposes only. |
| Advertising for channels such as Psychic Today are not allowed to make claims for efficacy or accuracy or predict negative experiences or specific events, the regulator said. | Advertising for channels such as Psychic Today are not allowed to make claims for efficacy or accuracy or predict negative experiences or specific events, the regulator said. |
| In its ruling, the regulator said on 20 June last year, a psychic called Crystal told viewers: "One of the cases that's actually signed, sealed and delivered and got the seal on it, was the um, oh crikey, uh, the Milly Dowler case … I was the one that dealt with that one." | In its ruling, the regulator said on 20 June last year, a psychic called Crystal told viewers: "One of the cases that's actually signed, sealed and delivered and got the seal on it, was the um, oh crikey, uh, the Milly Dowler case … I was the one that dealt with that one." |
| On 2 June last year, a psychic called Jenna referred to a reading she claimed to have given to someone who would become quite close friends with Jackson for many years. | |
| The friend would stay at the singer's house and write two books about him, but the friendship would end suddenly, the psychic claimed. | |
| Majestic TV, which holds the licence for Psychic Today, told Ofcom the claims made in both cases were factually correct, but admitted that the reference to Milly Dowler was unfortunate. | Majestic TV, which holds the licence for Psychic Today, told Ofcom the claims made in both cases were factually correct, but admitted that the reference to Milly Dowler was unfortunate. |
| Ofcom ruled that there was a further breach in May last year when promotions for psychic readings with Mollie included the descriptions of her readings as very accurate and precise. | Ofcom ruled that there was a further breach in May last year when promotions for psychic readings with Mollie included the descriptions of her readings as very accurate and precise. |
| The regulator concluded that the breaches were serious and repeated and a financial penalty should be imposed. | |
| Majestic TV Ltd was fined £12,500, while Square 1 Management Ltd was handed a £10,000 penalty in respect of its Big Deal service. |