The UK’s broadcast regulator says a programme discussion immigration and asylum policy fell short of its standards on due impartiality.
- Ofcom rules programme presented by Martin Daubney on 16th June breached broadcast code.
- Show presented by Lee Anderson given all-clear by Ofcom.
- 12 further cases against GB News still under investigation.
A GB News programme which saw former Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney interview Reform Party leader Richard Tice was today found to have breached Ofcom broadcasting rules.
It’s the fourth time GB News has been found to have breached the UK Broadcasting Code, with 12 further investigations underway regarding further potential breaches.
Ofcom’s investigation found Tice presented his views on immigration and asylum policy with insufficient challenge, and the limited alternative views presented in the programme were dismissed. Therefore, the regulator found the programme “did not include and give due weight to an appropriately wide range of significant views”, as required by the Code.
GB News accepted that the content was not compliant with the heightened special impartiality requirements in the Code.
Anderson programme found not in breach
Meanwhile, Ofcom has decided not to pursue an investigation into a programme fronted by Conservative Party Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson, broadcast in September. Also on the topic of immigration, Ofcom found the format of the programme clearly made it a current affairs show, not a news programme. Therefore the restrictions on politicians presenting news shows didn’t apply.
Ofcom also found that the programme offered sufficient alternative views:
Anderson and another speaker read out statements from an individual and organisations which interspersed, and challenged the views set out by the Home Secretary in the interview. During the panel discussion, two panellists, representing differing political perspectives to those of Suella Braverman and Lee Anderson, were able to challenge comments made by the Home Secretary and express a range of alternative views.
As a result, Ofcom said the programme didn’t warrant any further investigation regarding rule breaches.
- The full text of Ofcom’s verdict on the Martin Daubney programme is available on the Ofcom website.
Marc Thornham