UK Prime Minister’s ‘People’s Forum’ On GB News The Latest To Be Probed By Ofcom

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hour-long ‘grilling’ on GB News is the network’s latest to be probed by Ofcom.

The People’s Forum attracted more than 500 complaints, the regulator said today, as Sunak answered questions from an audience on a range of topics before the show cut back to the studio and a Conservative lawmaker was asked for his “verdict.” No alternative viewpoint was sought throughout the show.

Ofcom said this morning that the show is being investigated under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code, “which provide additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy.”

“Specifically, Rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes,” it added.

The move is proof that GB News will continue falling foul of the broadcasting code as we enter 2024.

GB News is currently being investigated for around a dozen other shows including many over impartiality issues and the issue of political figures presenting topical programs.

Deadline revealed last month that Ofcom has delayed publishing research on politicians presenting news shows until the UK media regulator has reached crucial rulings on GB News.