In a significant development, Ofcom investigations have concluded that several programmes on GB News, featuring politicians in the role of news presenters, violated broadcasting due to impartiality rules. The findings highlight the delicate balance between editorial freedom and the obligation to maintain impartiality in news reporting.
Under the Broadcasting Code, news content, regardless of its format, must be presented with due impartiality. Additionally, politicians are generally prohibited from acting as newsreaders, interviewers, or reporters. Exceptions can be made if there is clear editorial justification.
Broadcasters enjoy editorial freedom, allowing them to offer diverse programme formats, including using politicians for current affairs or non-news shows. Politicians may also appear as interviewees or guests in broadcast news content.
Programmes often blend news and non-news segments. However, when a politician serves as a presenter in a programme containing both news and current affairs content, precautions must be taken to prevent them from acting as newsreaders, interviewers, or reporters.
After thorough analysis, Ofcom identified five programmes on GB News that failed to comply with the Broadcasting Code:
- Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation: Two episodes during May and June 2023 breached Rules 5.1 and 5.3. The host politician acted as a newsreader and interviewer without exceptional justification.
- Friday Morning with Esther and Phil: Two episodes faced similar issues, with politicians assuming news presenter roles.
- Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil: One episode exhibited the same pattern.
In all cases, the mix of news and current affairs content featured politicians reporting breaking news events without sufficient impartiality. The inherent partiality of politicians influenced the presentation of news, undermining due impartiality.
In a statement Ofcom said: “These are the first breaches of Rules 5.1 and 5.3 recorded against GB News. Since opening these investigations, there has only been one further programme which has raised issues warranting investigation under these rules. We are clear, however, that GB News is put on notice that any repeated breaches of Rules 5.1 and 5.3 may result in the imposition of a statutory sanction”.
