Ofcom Delays Publishing Research On Politicians As Presenters Until Finalizing Key GB News Rulings

Jake Kanter
·2 min read

EXCLUSIVE: Ofcom has delayed publishing research on politicians presenting news shows until the UK media regulator has reached crucial rulings on GB News.

Ofcom committed to publishing the audience study last year but the regulator has told Deadline that it will now hold back the findings until completing its work on GB News.

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A spokesperson said: “Our research project is ongoing and not yet complete. We will publish it in due course. Our first priority is to conclude the live investigations.”

As detailed in a Deadline analysis on GB News’ regulation, Ofcom has five live investigations into whether the channel broke a UK broadcasting rule that forbids sitting MPs from presenting news shows.

Rule 5.3 of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code states: “No politician may be used as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in any news programmes unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified.”

The investigations concern GB News broadcasts between May 12 and June 23, 2023, and include a show in which Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg broke the news to viewers that a jury had found Donald Trump guilty of sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll.

Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson, another Tory MP, are established members of the GB News presenting team. Their shows are considered to be current affairs by Ofcom. No Ofcom rule forbids lawmakers from hosting current affairs content, but the regulator has opened investigations when MPs have potentially strayed into newsreader territory.

Ofcom commissioned research into this matter to understand how viewers feel about politicians as presenters. “We periodically conduct research among viewers and listeners to understand how attitudes, tastes and tolerances can change over time. These studies can help broadcasters to better understand audience expectations and what steps they may need to take to protect them,” it said.

Ofcom has not said whether the audience research will be a precursor to a rethink of the Broadcasting Code, the set of standards licensed TV channels are legally obliged to abide by.

Regulatory experts told Deadline that Ofcom should review whether current rules are fit for purpose given the rise of politicians hosting shows on GB News and Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV.

Chris Banatvala, Ofcom’s former director of standards, said: “It would be wise, given broadcasters are coming up against the code, for Ofcom to have a rigorous discussion and a possible consultation around this matter.”

Trevor Barnes, a former Ofcom legal director, said he would be surprised if Ofcom does not sanction GB News if it continues to breach TV standards.

Ofcom ruled against GB News on five separate occasions last year. The regulator is currently working through 13 investigations into the channel, including the five politicians as presenters probes.

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