Ofcom Launches Investigation into GB News Q&A with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Ofcom, the UK's communications and broadcast regulator, has initiated an investigation into the recent GB News program featuring Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Aired on February 12, the Q&A session titled "People's Forum: The Prime Minister," received approximately 500 complaints. Ofcom is investigating the matter under rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code, which require a diverse range of significant views to be included and given due weight in programs addressing major political controversies and current public policy matters.
The program involved members of the public posing questions to the prime minister on issues such as migration and the NHS, with Sunak being the sole guest on the episode. Presenter Stephen Dixon clarified during the broadcast that the questions were from undecided voters and had not been previewed by Mr. Sunak or GB News.
In response to the investigation, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, ""This is obviously a matter firstly for Ofcom, who's rightly an independent regulator. But obviously, as you'll see regularly, the prime minister undertakes interviews from a range of broadcasters, outlets and other media. And media appearances such as the one he conducted last week are an important part of the democratic process."
This investigation adds to the scrutiny GB News is facing from Ofcom, with several ongoing reviews related to impartiality issues. The channel, founded in June 2021 to challenge established British news providers, has been previously found in breach of impartiality rules in September. The issues around political figures hosting programs on GB News, such as Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson have also raised criticism. Other politicians, like former culture secretary Nadine Dorries and Labour's shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, are also involved in media hosting roles, contributing to a growing debate about the intersection of politics and media in the democratic process.
Despite the controversy and investigation, Downing Street reiterated that Mr. Sunak does not regret participating in the GB News program, leaving the outcome in the hands of Ofcom, the independent regulator.
