TALKTV has apologised and paid “substantial damages” to a migrants’ rights charity after a presenter said the organisation were “human traffickers”.
The comments by Mike Graham were broadcast on both June 10 and 13 2022 during a discussion about Migrants Organise – a charity which supports individuals impacted by the UK Government’s immigration system.
During his show, the Independent Republic of Mike Graham, Graham reportedly suggested that the charity were “funded to help illegal migration” and advised asylum seekers to falsify information.
We've been contacted by the charity Migrants Organise regarding discussion on The Independent Republic of Mike Graham show and Twitter on 10 and 13 June 2022. They have expressed concern it was suggested that they were ‘funded to help illegal migration’, were ‘human traffickers’,…
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) June 14, 2023
A statement from the channel read: “They [Migrants Organise] have expressed concern it was suggested that they were ‘funded to help illegal migration’, were ‘human traffickers’, and that they facilitated fraud and terrorism by advising asylum seekers to falsify information to bolster their asylum claims.
“We are happy to clarify that it was not our or Mike's intention to make those allegations and we accept there wasn't a factual basis for doing so.
“There were criticisms of Migrants Organise in the show and we should have offered the charity the opportunity to come on and respond.
“We apologise for not doing that and have agreed to pay them damages and legal costs.”
Migrants Organise’s chief executive, Zrinka Bralo, said the charity had been exposed to “hate and threats of violence as a result of the mischaracterisation of our work and the dehumanisation of people in need, and we had to take a stand.
“This victory is for the people behind these headlines, people who have no voice or representation, people who are scapegoated, demonised and dehumanised. Their resilience is the source of hope for all of us.”
The charity said the damages will used to “further support out vital work in supporting migrants and refugees to rebuild their lives.”
It isn’t the first time Graham has been forced to apologise for comments he’s made about Migrants Organise.
Last year, he questioned why the mental health charity Mind had provided funding to Migrants Organise and suggested the money went towards legal fees.
He then apologised after Mind said the allegation was “plain wrong”.
