Ofcom’s recent ruling highlights GB News’ breach of impartiality rules, sparking debate over media integrity and the balance between freedom of speech and responsible journalism. Here’s the full story.
Polluting the Debate
As the election draws nearer, the power to influence political reporting comes under increasing scrutiny, whether from outside actors, such as foreign governments using AI to pollute the national debate or from actors closer to home.
Billionaire Funded News
GB News, the billionaire-funded right-wing news channel, has come under intense scrutiny by Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, for breaching impartiality rules.
No Sanctions
Despite the channel breaking Ofcom’s rules regarding using sitting MPs as news presenters, Ofcom has decided not to impose sanctions on the broadcaster.
Media Integrity
This decision has sparked debate over media integrity in the UK’s already heavily rightward leaning news ecosystem.
Five Occasions
Ofcom’s investigation found GB News in violation of impartiality regulations on no less than five occasions, notably involving Conservative MPs Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey, and Philip Davies.
Big Money “News”
These MPs, earning annual sums of up to £350,000 from their roles as presenters on the channel, participated in news coverage, risking the further erosion of public trust in regulated broadcast media.
Not Presented With Impartiality
According to Ofcom, “We found that host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news – including reporting breaking news events – without exceptional justification. News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality.”
Breaches of Broadcasting Code
This is not the first time GB News has been subject to intensive scrutiny from Ofcom. These latest breaches of the broadcasting code mark the 12th time the channel has been criticized by the regulator.
Pushing Boundaries
Instead of punishing GB News, Ofcom warned the broadcaster not to break the rules again, which only furthered fears that GB News was pushing the boundaries of British broadcasting regulations to see what it could get away with.
Eight Investigations
There are currently eight other investigations into GB News which are presently ongoing.
“Chilling Development”
GB News characterized Ofcom’s ruling as a “chilling development for all broadcasters, for freedom of speech, and for everyone in the United Kingdom.”
“Promote Free Speech”
It continued, “Ofcom is obliged by law to promote free speech and media plurality and to ensure that alternative voices are heard. Its latest decisions, in some cases a year after the programme aired, contravene those duties.”
Current Affairs, Not News
GB News contested Ofcom’s interpretation of the rules, arguing that the MPs were not presenting news but rather offering opinions on current affairs. This distinction, however, did not sway Ofcom’s findings.
European Court Rulings
In an attempt to justify their actions, which would be laughable were they not so dangerous, GB News cited European court rulings that protect freedom of expression, asserting that Ofcom’s distinction between news and non-news content was unclear and that the regulator’s stance posed a risk to free speech.
Ardent Brexiteers
The channel’s appeal to the European court rulings was doubly ironic, considering that most of the hosts used as news hosts by GB News were ardent Brexiteers who wished to see the UK exit the European Court of Human Rights.
Attempt at Obfuscation
Despite this attempt at obfuscation, Ofcom outlined specific instances where GB News breached impartiality rules, including Rees-Mogg’s coverage of Donald Trump’s rape trial verdict and McVey and Davies’ interviews on topics ranging from rail strikes to mortgage rates.
Opinion-Based
These instances highlighted the blurring line between news reporting and opinion-based programming on the supposed news channel.
“Fair and Equal”
Ofcom defended its stance, stating that the rules were in place to ensure “fair and equal democratic discourse on influential media platforms to the benefit of society generally.”
“Integrity and Credibility”
It continued: “In our view, the use of politicians to present the news risks undermining the integrity and credibility of regulated broadcast news.”
Pushing Patience
Despite their continued lack of action on GB News’s multiple rule breaches, Ofcom warned GB News against future breaches, indicating that its patience could only be pushed so far.
Concerns Mounting
With the looming general election, concerns continue to mount over the channel’s influence and the impact of biased reporting on public discourse.
Rotten at the Core
GB News’ clash with Ofcom over impartiality breaches signals that something is rotten at the core of the UK news media.
Toxic Mix
A toothless regulator and a channel that operates more as an opinion based show than a news channel is a poisonous mix for democracy.
Too Late?
The upcoming election will prove whether that mix has poisoned the rest of the body politic, though it may already be too late by then.
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The post GB News Faces Ofcom Probe for Impartiality Breaches first appeared on Edge Media.
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Grant Gallacher is a seasoned writer with expertise in politics and impactful daily news. His work, deeply rooted in addressing issues that resonate with a wide audience, showcases an unwavering commitment to bringing forth the stories that matter. He is also known for satirical writing and stand up comedy.