Ofcom has sanctioned GB News with a substantial fine.
- The issue revolves around the People’s Forum with Rishi Sunak.
- The programme breached impartiality rules, especially during election times.
- GB News is contesting the decision, seeking a judicial review.
- The controversy highlights tensions between regulation and broadcasting freedom.
Ofcom, the regulatory authority for the broadcasting sector, has taken decisive action against GB News by imposing a £100,000 fine for failing to adhere to due impartiality rules. This penalty comes after an in-depth investigation into the programme titled, People’s Forum: The Prime Minister.
The programme aired in February as a live, hour-long current affairs segment, during which Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister at the time, was given what was perceived as an uncontested platform. Ofcom’s investigation highlighted that the programme lacked a sufficiently wide range of significant viewpoints. It failed to offer due weight to opposing perspectives, thereby not preserving the required standards of impartiality set out in the Broadcasting Code.
Criticism towards GB News was particularly sharp due to the timing of the broadcast, which occurred in the lead-up to a general election. Ofcom articulated that the event allowed the Prime Minister to promote government policies and performance without adequate counterbalance, thus breaching specific sections of the Broadcasting Code regarding impartiality.
Following these findings, Ofcom has not only fined GB News but has also mandated the broadcaster to publicly air a statement declaring the breach. However, GB News has moved to legally challenge Ofcom’s decision through a judicial review, arguing that the sanctions represent an attack on free speech and journalism.
Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO of GB News, expressed strong opposition to the ruling, stating, ‘The announcement by Ofcom to impose sanctions upon GB News…is a direct attack on free speech and journalism in the United Kingdom.’ He further contended that the People’s Forum was crafted as a significant public interest programme designed to facilitate direct questioning of political figures by the public.
The judicial review granted by the High Court means that enforcement of the sanctions is temporarily paused pending legal proceedings. GB News argues that Ofcom’s actions contradict its duty to uphold freedom of expression fairly, particularly in political discourse, and maintains that it took necessary measures to ensure compliance with the due impartiality requirements of the Broadcasting Code.
This situation underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between regulatory constraints and the freedom of the press, especially in politically charged contexts.
The GB News and Ofcom dispute underscores ongoing tensions in media regulation and freedom of expression.
