Four additional investigations by Ofcom have been initiated into GB News, the beleaguered UK network, with one of these inquiries focusing on Laurence Fox’s program for the first time.
The regulatory body has unveiled its scrutiny of several shows from the recent weeks that potentially contravene the Broadcasting Code, encompassing restrictions against politicians serving as newsreaders and various concerns related to impartiality.
Laurence Fox’s show, helmed by guest host Martin Daubney, is currently under investigation to ascertain whether it upheld “due impartiality on matters of significant political or industrial contention.” This investigation was launched in response to an interview featuring Reform UK leader Richard Tice discussing the contentious small boats issue. Fox, recognised as a far right-wing actor, presides over a daily show that delves into contemporary subjects with his distinct and spirited approach. The network, formerly backed by Discovery, described his style as “unique and outgoing.”
Furthermore, two episodes of a news program hosted by Conservative politicians Esther McVey and Philip Davies are under scrutiny, with one instance being examined for potential violations of newsreader conduct due to a discussion surrounding a teenager’s sentencing for terrorism-related offenses. The other episode featured an interview with a prominent contender for the Conservative London mayoral position, discussing the Ultra Low Emission Zone debate.
Lastly, Ofcom is investigating Jacob Rees-Mogg’s show, “State of the Nation,” on the grounds of politicians assuming the role of presenters following coverage of a stabbing incident in Nottingham.
These four investigations comprise a total of seven GB News programs currently subject to Ofcom’s scrutiny, with a significant portion occurring on McVey and Davies’ show. These inquiries have sparked a broader discourse within British media circles concerning issues of impartiality, bias, and the feasibility of politicians hosting news programs. According to Ofcom’s guidelines, such hosting is permissible, but exclusively in the context of discussion-based programs as opposed to straightforward news broadcasts.
Remarkably, these four investigations represent the second-highest number initiated by Ofcom in a single month, only surpassed by the Russian network RT last year. Ofcom has committed to conducting its investigations expeditiously, following established procedures. In its monthly bulletin, the regulator indicated that GB News had drawn over 250 complaints within the month, centering around concerns about due impartiality and bias.
GB News has been grappling with intensified pressure in recent days subsequent to revelations regarding prominent presenter Dan Wootton. A series of articles from Byline Times alleged that Wootton had offered financial incentives to individuals for sexually explicit media under the pseudonym Martin Branning. Despite these revelations, Wootton continues to host his program, although he has been suspended by the MailOnline, where he contributes a regular column.
If found to contravened the terms of their licence, Ofcom may impose a sanction if we consider that a broadcaster has seriously, deliberately, repeatedly or recklessly breached one of our requirements. This is a serious matter, so we will always give careful consideration to our decision.
Sanctions may include:
- a direction not to repeat content;
- a direction to broadcast a correction or a statement of Ofcom’s findings;
- financial penalties; and
- depending on the licence type and type of breach, shortening, suspending or revoking a licence.
Ofcom states that they do not benefit from financial penalties as all sums are passed to the Exchequer.
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