Ofcom Imposes £100,000 Fine on GB News for Impartiality Breach
GB News penalized over Rishi Sunak's interview for violating broadcasting impartiality rules.
Ofcom has fined GB News £100,000 for violating impartiality rules during an interview with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this year.
The broadcast, titled 'People’s Forum: The Prime Minister,' allowed Sunak to promote government policies without adequate challenge, contravening rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the broadcasting code.
The media watchdog noted the seriousness of this offense and referred to GB News’s history of similar breaches, including allowing Conservative MPs such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey to serve as presenters.
Launched on 15 February, Ofcom's investigation found that while Sunak faced questions from a live studio audience, no meaningful follow-ups were presented, and the presenter failed to adequately challenge him.
Furthermore, Sunak criticized political rivals without offering viewers opposing perspectives.
GB News has contested Ofcom's decision through a judicial review, delaying the sanction's enforcement until legal proceedings conclude.
The channel's chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, condemned the fine, calling it an attack on free speech and asserting its commitment to championing freedom in the UK, despite judicial setbacks in halting the publication of Ofcom's ruling.
In response, Ofcom has directed GB News to broadcast a statement acknowledging the breach.
Meanwhile, the high court denied GB News's request to suspend the regulator from issuing its sanction, dismissing concerns of potential reputational damage.
The broadcast, titled 'People’s Forum: The Prime Minister,' allowed Sunak to promote government policies without adequate challenge, contravening rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the broadcasting code.
The media watchdog noted the seriousness of this offense and referred to GB News’s history of similar breaches, including allowing Conservative MPs such as Jacob Rees-Mogg and Esther McVey to serve as presenters.
Launched on 15 February, Ofcom's investigation found that while Sunak faced questions from a live studio audience, no meaningful follow-ups were presented, and the presenter failed to adequately challenge him.
Furthermore, Sunak criticized political rivals without offering viewers opposing perspectives.
GB News has contested Ofcom's decision through a judicial review, delaying the sanction's enforcement until legal proceedings conclude.
The channel's chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, condemned the fine, calling it an attack on free speech and asserting its commitment to championing freedom in the UK, despite judicial setbacks in halting the publication of Ofcom's ruling.
In response, Ofcom has directed GB News to broadcast a statement acknowledging the breach.
Meanwhile, the high court denied GB News's request to suspend the regulator from issuing its sanction, dismissing concerns of potential reputational damage.