Ofcom has warned broadcasters using politicians as presenters that âthe highest level of due impartiality applies during election periodsâ and breaches could result in âstatutory sanctionsâ.
The regulatorâs updated guidance comes after it found GB News in breach of broadcasting rules when three Conservative MPs acted as newsreaders across five different episodes of its programmes.
Ofcomâs probe involved 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 about potential sanctions if there are further breaches.
Married couple Ms McVey and Mr Davies are no longer part of the GB News line-up.
Ofcom warned it is putting broadcasters âon notice to maintain due impartiality ahead of the general electionâ.
A statement said: âBroadcasters are reminded that Rule 6.6 of the Code prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of programme during the election period.â
Under current rules politicians are allowed to present current affairs show but not act as newsreaders, and the rules are tightened in the run-up to an election.
Ofcom said: âWith a general election due to take place before 25 January 2025, we are sounding a warning to broadcasters to maintain the highest level of due impartiality, in line with our enhanced rules that apply during election periods.
âAny breaches of election programming rules are likely to be serious and to result in Ofcom considering the imposition of statutory sanctions.â
New audience research by the regulator found that while there are âconcernsâ about politicians presenting current affairs programmes, there is âno clear consensus for an outright banâ.
Updated guidance reinforces the prohibition on politicians presenting news and âreminds broadcasters that, because politicians have an inherently partial role in society, news content presented by them is likely to be viewed by audiences in light of that perceived bias, which would risk undermining the integrity and credibility of broadcast newsâ.
The guidance does state that broadcasters âretain editorial freedom to create programmes which move between news and current affairs contentâ but cautions that is a politician is a the host of a programme âthey must ensure they do not act as a newsreader, news interviewer or news reporter at any point in that programmeâ.
On Tuesday former GB News chairman Andrew Neil said Ofcom needs to âgrow a backbone and quickâ over the issue of politicians hosting TV programmes.
He told peers: âIt may be because the rest of the broadcast universe is on the centre, centre-left so it gave GB news a bit more leeway to settle down.
âI am surprised that any regulator would allow politicians sitting in the Houses of Parliament to present political TV programmes.
âIf I had stayed as chairman it would not have happened because I would not have had any politician present a TV show in the first place, and I would certainly never have allowed politicians to interview politicians from the same party.
âI just find that incredible and I think on these areas Ofcom needs to find a backbone and quick.â
After Ofcom issued its warning on Wednesday, the host of BBC Radio 4âs Today programme, Nick Robinson, questioned the media watchdogâs parameters on impartiality.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: âSo, @Nigel_Farage â one of the founders & owners of @reformparty_uk â can present an âimpartialâ programme on a TV ânewsâ channel during the general election according to the broadcasting regulator @ofcom.
âThe leader of the party @TiceRichard & its only MP @LeeAndersonMP_ can present programmes in the run up to the campaign alongside @Jacob_Rees_Mogg.
âIs that your idea of impartiality?â
Following the online pushback, Ofcomâs broadcasting director Cristina Nicolotti Squires said she did not agree with comments that said Ofcomâs guidance did not provide a clear enough warning about impartiality, saying: âWhat weâve done with todayâs research is that weâve actually spoken to audiences, rather than presenters of various programmes or commentators, and what the audience told us is what weâve what weâve published today.â
She added: âAudiences, theyâre smarter than perhaps some of these commentators might think, they welcome due impartiality but they also welcome a wide range of programmes to choose from.â
Asked how broadcasters who have politicians as presenters should conduct themselves, Ms Squires said: âIf they decide to use people like that in programmes, who are presumably not candidates, then theyâre going to have to work very hard to make sure those programmes are duly impartial.â
She noted there will be a specific election committee that will investigate programmes that Ofcom feels may not have been duly impartial and if they are found to be in breach, they will âcome down on them without fear or favourâ, a process she said they have done before in 48 hours.
Ms Squires added that in a world with growing mistrust of institutions, she feels it is âreally important that we engage listeners and audiences and get their views, rather than just handing down tablets of stone from our ivory towers on the Southbankâ.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel