George Orwell's magazine taken over by founder of Muslim TV channel

It comes amid scrutiny of Harrath's Islam Channel, which was fined £40,000 by Ofcom in 2023 for broadcasting content the regulator found to be "anti-Semitic" and "highly offensive".

The channel is currently run by Harrath's son, Mohamed Ali Harrath, as chief executive, while the elder Harrath will serve as chairman of the newly acquired Tribune magazine.

Tribune has a distinguished literary heritage, having published leading writers including HG Wells and George Bernard Shaw alongside Orwell's contributions as literary editor.

The magazine currently operates on a quarterly publishing schedule, though plans are underway to increase this frequency under the new ownership structure.

Ali Harrath was granted refugee status by the UK in 2000 after fleeing Tunisia, following the establishment of the Tunisian Islamic Front, which aimed to provide non-violent opposition to Ben Ali's dictatorship.

He went on to found the Islam Channel in 2004.

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The Islam Channel announced the Tribune acquisition, stating that the new ownership would continue a "proud tradition of anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, and advocacy for peace and equality".

It faced regulatory action when Ofcom sanctioned it for broadcasting the documentary The Andinia Plan, which promoted a conspiracy theory claiming Jews made plans to establish a state in South America.

Ofcom found that "the theme of a world Jewish conspiracy is one which incites, promotes and justifies hatred based on anti-Semitism and anti-Israeli feeling across the globe, including in the UK".

Labour MP Jon Trickett, who acts as an editorial adviser and chairman of the Tribune advisory board, has welcomed the takeover.

Trickett said: "The UK is crying out for an alternative to the establishment media.

"The scourge of growing poverty alongside extreme wealth should be at the top of the news agenda. The voices of socialists, trade unionists, anti-racists, peace campaigners and anti-imperialists need to be heard far more loudly and clearly."

Ali Harrath added: "A new future for Tribune should excite anyone who wants real change, and a better and brighter future for all.

"The editorial independence and the tradition of Tribune are assured, and I'm confident that it can become an even more powerful voice for the entire progressive Left, whether inside or outside the Labour Party, as well as for the huge numbers who feel they have no voice in politics and public life."