GB News has lost its High Court appeal against Ofcom sanctions.
- The channel faces a significant fine for breaching impartiality rules.
- Over 500 complaints led to Ofcom’s ruling of a lack of balanced perspectives.
- GB News’s attempt to block sanction details publication was dismissed.
- This ruling may set a precedent for future actions on political content.
GB News finds itself at the centre of a regulatory storm after a High Court judge dismissed its appeal to halt Ofcom’s sanctions. The broadcaster contested Ofcom’s ruling that it had violated impartiality rules during a televised debate involving former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This debate, aired in February, resulted in over 500 complaints questioning the channel’s commitment to providing balanced perspectives.
Ofcom determined that GB News failed to present opposing viewpoints adequately, both in the debate itself and a subsequent programme. This led to a decision to impose a significant fine on the channel, a penalty which the broadcaster tried but failed to delay through legal means.
During the court proceedings, GB News argued that publicising the sanctions would inflict irreparable damage on its reputation. However, Mr Justice Chamberlain rejected this claim, underscoring the importance of transparency in regulatory processes. He highlighted the public interest in maintaining standards and ensuring broadcaster compliance, which outweighed potential damage to GB News.
Despite the setback, the court has permitted GB News to seek a judicial review of the breach decision itself. This could offer the broadcaster an avenue to challenge Ofcom’s findings, although the likelihood of successful results remains uncertain.
GB News has been a controversial figure in UK broadcasting, having previously breached Ofcom’s rules multiple times, particularly concerning impartiality and the role of politicians as presenters. The channel’s choice to employ political figures such as Jacob Rees-Mogg as hosts has drawn criticism, further exemplified by regulatory breaches concerning his programme.
The current scenario not only marks a pivotal moment for GB News but also serves as a potential landmark case in the regulation of political content on UK news channels. Ofcom’s regulatory actions, welcomed by many, reiterate the critical role of impartiality in journalism. GB News’s chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, while satisfied with the opportunity for a judicial review, maintains that some of Ofcom’s decisions are “neither fair nor lawful.”
The court’s decision underscores the importance of impartiality and regulatory compliance, potentially influencing future broadcasting standards.
