The UK religious TV channel has been taken to court by Ofcom for using the channel to broadcast a program that had Peter Popoff from the US promoting ‘miracle spring water’ that could cure various diseases and help in financial success. The penalty was stipulated after an examination of the show Peter Popoff Ministries that was broadcast on The Word Network, a channel aimed at the Christian audience.
During two episodes of the show, Popoff and his wife told the audience that they should try the so-called miracle spring water and that it would cure lung cancer, diabetes, and intestinal diseases among other diseases. Viewers testified that the water not only helped them with their health issues but also with their finances. One story told of a person who, it was claimed, received $64,000 after using the water, while other people said that they got new business, homes or that their debts were cleared.
This article is significant because Popoff made the list of repeated claims in the show. He said, “Did you hear that? You mean God took care of you after you used the miracle spring water?” Ofcom stated that the claims were likely to cause harm to viewers and hence broke the broadcasting codes on advertising and health and immunity.
When Ofcom’s concerns were first raised to the Word Network Operating Company, they dismissed them, saying that the problems were cultural in nature since their main audience is in the United States. However, the company eventually heeded Ofcom’s demand and halted the broadcasting of Peter Popoff Ministries on the UK channel. Ofcom pointed out that the violations were severe but the violations were not made in a deliberate or reckless manner.
