GB News show hosted by stand-in presenter breached impartiality rules
Ofcom has ruled GB News breached impartiality rules during a programme presented by former Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney, who was standing in for Laurence Fox.
During the broadcast on June 16, Daubney gave his views on immigration and asylum policy in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel, and also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Richard Tice.
On Monday, UK media regulator Ofcom said the programme did not meet the “heightened impartiality requirements” which apply to programmes discussing “matters of major political controversy and current public policy”.
It said Mr Tice presented his views on the programme “with insufficient challenge” and the “limited alternative views presented in the programme were dismissed”.
“The programme therefore did not include and give due weight to an appropriately wide range of significant views, as required by the Code,” Ofcom said.
“GB News accepted that the content was not compliant with the heightened special impartiality requirements in the Code.”
It added: “We expect GB News to take careful account of this decision in its compliance of future programming.”
Dismissed
Daubney, who was also deputy leader of the Reclaim Party, was standing in for presenter Fox, who has since been dismissed following comments he made on air about a female journalist.
The actor-turned-politician made a series of personal remarks about political correspondent Ava Evans, including asking “Who would want to shag that?”, on the Dan Wootton Tonight programme on September 26.
Fox, who apologised following the incident, was sacked by GB News, while an internal investigation into Wootton continues.
Ofcom added that it has “12 further investigations open into GB News, which we are working to conclude as quickly as possible”.
Last week the right-wing TV station was removed from Senedd TVs following Fox’s comments, which a spokesperson for Presiding Officer Elin Jones described as, “deliberately offensive, demeaning to public debate and contrary to our Parliament’s values”.
In response the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, a regular guest on the channel, described the decision as censorship and claimed it could be illegal.
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Hey, it’s GB News, what on earth does anyone expect ? It’s not a news channel but puts out an alternative account or interpretation of events. Much of it is way out of place totally bonkers but there have been times when they have been spot on. I guess I see it about 2x 10 minutes per week and quickly figure out whether the items merit further viewing.
GB news is the fastest growing news channel. Can you believe that? In addition Wales’ most popular newspaper is the Daily Mail!
Not a news channel.
Hate has always sold, so not unexpected.I refer to the hate mails constant disgusting lies and attacks on judges like fascists used to do. Or the long gone News of the world with its constant sex scandal and hacking of phones. Sadly its a British thing that news must be negative.
Wow. They needed an investigation to find the obvious.
Cap’n Stop the boats Davies still a big fan of this trough of iniquity?
Now for the slapped wrist fingers crossed apology.
First of all IT IS NOT A NEWS CHANNEL it is a TORY PROPAGANDA CHANNEL and has no right to be called a news channel just take a look at those who have their own slots as interviewers you have Tory M P,s Interviewing Tory Ministers or fellow Tory M P.s if you believe that is right you are either a supporter of the SCUM party or you cannot think for your self and you are brainwashed