Ofcom Finds GB News Programmes Hosted by Tory MPs Breached Impartiality Rules
The UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom has concluded that five episodes of GB News programmes, presented by Conservative Members of Parliament, violated impartiality regulations. The investigation focused on two shows hosted by former House of Commons leader Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, and three co-hosted by former pensions secretary Esther McVey and her husband, backbencher Philip Davies.
According to Ofcom, the Broadcasting Code mandates that news must be presented with due impartiality, and politicians cannot serve as news presenters, interviewers, or reporters without exceptional editorial justification. The watchdog determined that there was no exceptional justification in the five cases investigated, resulting in a failure to uphold due impartiality in the presentation of news content.
GB News has been cautioned by Ofcom that further breaches could lead to statutory sanctions, including financial penalties or the suspension or revocation of its broadcasting license. Ofcom identified two episodes of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s “State Of The Nation,” two episodes of “Friday Morning With Esther And Phil,” and one episode of “Saturday Morning With Esther And Phil” as the programs that failed to comply with broadcasting rules during May and June 2023.
Ofcom highlighted the inherent partiality of politicians in society and expressed concerns that news content presented by them risks undermining the integrity and credibility of regulated broadcast news. The watchdog’s investigation into the five shows revealed a violation of Rules 5.1 and 5.3 of the Broadcasting Code, prompting the warning to GB News regarding potential statutory sanctions for repeated breaches.
While this is not the first instance of GB News breaching broadcasting rules, Ofcom noted that it was the inaugural violation of sections 5.1 and 5.3 of the code. The regulator cautioned GB News that any future breaches of these rules may result in the imposition of statutory sanctions. GB News has been scrutinized for its compliance with broadcasting standards previously, and Ofcom remains vigilant in ensuring adherence to impartiality regulations within the broadcasting industry.
