GB News, expecting the Ofcom decision, had tried to make presenter responsible for paying Ofcom fines.
On 21st April 2022, the Mark Steyn programme on GB News was reported for a potential breach by viewers who considered the presenter had made “dangerous” and “fatally flawed conclusions” from UK Health Security Agency statistics.
Ofcom investigated under Rule 2.2 of the UK’s broadcasting code which states that “factual programmes or items or portrayals of factual matters must not materially mislead the audience”.
It found viewers were materially misled by Mark Steyn’s claims that official UKHSA data provided definitive evidence that the third Covid-19 booster vaccine caused higher infection, hospitalisation and death rates.
In its response to Ofcom’s investigation, GB News distanced itself from the presenter’s comments informing Ofcom that Mr Steyn “was giving his personal opinion.” GB News told Ofcom that “one broadcast on a minority channel” would carry little risk.
Mark Steyn parted ways with GB News after the broadcaster attempted to make him liable for any fines. With Ofcom investigating various allegations of code breaches, GB News has made its staff attend mandatory Ofcom training.
In its conclusion, Ofcom emphasised that broadcasters are free to show programmes that are controversial. It said:
“Broadcasters are free to transmit programmes which may be considered controversial and challenging and to question statistics or other evidence produced by governments or other official sources. It is clearly in the public interest to scrutinise information of this nature, provided programming is compliant with the Code, specifically that the portrayals of factual matters are not materially misleading.
Given the content was broadcast as part of a factual programme on a news and current affairs service, and may have resulted in viewers making important decisions about their own health, we found that the programme was materially misleading and in breach of Rule 2.2 of the Code. “
Iain Hatton