UKs Ofcom probes right-wing news channels for possible rule breaches

Ofcom’s HQ

UK media regulator Ofcom has opened two separate broadcast standards probes into programmes aired on controversial opinion-centred news channels GB News and News UK-owned rival Talk TV.

The first probe into a State of the Nation episode on GB News on May 9 will look at whether programed complied with rules which prevent politicians from acting as newsreaders in any news programmes, unless exceptionally, it is editorially justified.

The programme, which attracted 40 complaints, featured right-wing politician Jacob Rees-Mogg covering a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving former US President Donald Trump.

Ofcom is also investigating a Talk TV show featuring right-wing pro-Brexit politician and property developer Richard Tice and former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond.

The programme, which attracted two complaints, included a discussion of the Scottish National Party, is being probed for whether it broke due impartiality rules.

A separate investigation into the GB News programme Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip, featuring right-wing husband and wife politicians Esther McVey and Philip Davies interviewing Conservative chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt, is ongoing.

Ofcom said it was also conducting research into public attitudes to the growing number of current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians.

Any change in rules mooted by Ofcom is however likely to prove controversial. The most prominent politicians who are active in this area have been sitting Conservative MPs.