Ofcom! Warns Politicians Presenting on Air Could Cost Them The Election!
Ofcom warned broadcasters who use politicians as presenters that “the highest level of due impartiality applies during election periods” and breaches could lead to “legal sanctions”.
The regulator’s updated guidance comes after it found GB News breached broadcasting rules when three Tory MPs acted as newsreaders in five different episodes of its programs.
Ofcom’s investigation included shows presented by former House of Commons leader Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, as well as minister without portfolio Esther McVey and backbencher Philip Davies, and the channel was warned of possible sanctions if there were further breaches.
Married couple Ms McVey and Mr Davies are no longer part of the GB News line-up.
Ofcom warned that it is “warning broadcasters to maintain appropriate impartiality” ahead of the general election.
The statement said: “Broadcasters are reminded that rule 6.6 of the Code prohibits candidates in UK elections from appearing as news anchors, interviewers or presenters of any type of program during the election period.
Under current rules, politicians can present current affairs programs but not act as newsreaders, and the rules are tightened before elections.
Ofcom said: “With the general election due to be held before 25 January 2025, we are warning broadcasters to maintain the highest level of appropriate impartiality in line with our extended rules that apply during election periods.
“Any breach of election programming rules is likely to be serious and lead to Ofcom considering imposing statutory sanctions.”
A new viewership survey by the regulator found that while there were “concerns” about politicians presenting current affairs shows, “there is no clear consensus for a total ban”.
As politicians have an inherently partial role in society, the news content they present is likely to be viewed by viewers in light of this perceived bias, which could compromise the integrity and credibility of broadcast news.
Ofcom guidance
The updated guidelines strengthen the ban on politicians presenting the news and “remind broadcasters that because politicians have an inherently partial role in society, the news content they present is likely to be viewed by audiences in light of such perceived bias, which could compromise integrity.” and credibility of broadcast news”.
The guidelines state that broadcasters “retain editorial freedom to create programs that move between news and current affairs content” but warn that if a politician is hosting a program “they must ensure that they do not act as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporter at any point in this program’.
On Tuesday, former GB News chairman Andrew Neil said Ofcom needed to “grow some backbone and fast” on the issue of politicians hosting TV programs.
He told his peers: “It might be that the rest of the broadcasting universe is in the middle, left of center, so it gave the GB news a bit more room to settle.
“I am surprised that any regulator would allow politicians sitting in the House of Commons to put on political TV shows.
“If I had stayed as chairman it wouldn’t have happened because I wouldn’t let any politician host a TV show in the first place and I would certainly never allow politicians to interview politicians from the same party.
“I find it unbelievable and I think in these areas Ofcom needs to find a backbone and fast.”
After Ofcom issued its warning on Wednesday, BBC Radio 4’s Today presenter Nick Robinson questioned the parameters of the media watchdog’s impartiality.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “So @Nigel_Farage – one of the founders and owners of @reformparty_uk – can present an ‘unbiased’ program on a TV ‘news’ channel during a general election as broadcast. regulator @ofcom.
“Party leader @TiceRichard and its only MP @LeeAndersonMP_ can present pre-campaign programs alongside @Jacob_Rees_Mogg.
“That’s your idea of impartiality?”
ALSO READ:-Streets in Optical Illusion! Massive Partying & Drug Use Shut Down Areas in Fair Oak
Discover more from TODAY US NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.