On October 31, 2024, GB News received a £100,000 fine from Ofcom following its People’s Forum broadcast featuring former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Ofcom ruled that the program, which aired earlier this year, breached broadcasting impartiality rules by failing to provide balanced viewpoints. The program received over 500 complaints and was found to lack adequate challenge or alternative perspectives during Sunak's Q&A session with the audience. This decision marks GB News's twelfth regulatory infraction since 2023, underscoring Ofcom’s assertion that the channel has repeatedly struggled to comply with impartiality standards.
GB News initially attempted to block the sanction, arguing in court that Ofcom’s decision was legally flawed and that the fine would cause “irreparable damage” to its reputation. However, the High Court permitted Ofcom to proceed, noting the significant public interest in enforcing broadcasting standards and that GB News's concerns about potential harm were overstated. The court did grant GB News permission to challenge Ofcom’s ruling fully, acknowledging that the case raises substantial issues regarding media impartiality and regulatory fairness.
In response, GB News emphasized its commitment to public interest programming and argued that People’s Forum was designed to foster direct engagement between the public and political figures. The network’s chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, criticized Ofcom’s actions as excessive and maintained that GB News strives to uphold its obligations under the broadcasting code while also championing freedom of expression.
The ruling marks a significant moment for UK media regulation, spotlighting the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the enforcement of impartiality in political programming. GB News contends that Ofcom’s response undermines public interest journalism by penalizing a format designed to give the public direct access to politicians. However, Ofcom maintains that this responsibility includes ensuring viewers are presented with diverse views, especially when discussing public policy with a sitting prime minister.
As GB News prepares for a full court hearing to challenge Ofcom's finding, the outcome could have lasting implications for future political broadcasts across UK media. Both the fine and the pending court challenge underscore the growing scrutiny on news outlets’ adherence to impartiality, a core principle in UK broadcasting law. For GB News, the decision may shape its approach to future programming, while other broadcasters observe closely how impartiality standards might evolve in response to political dynamics and public expectation.
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