GB News is set to face a significant fine after the High Court refused their attempt to halt Ofcom sanctions.
- The case revolves around a broadcast featuring ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which sparked over 500 complaints.
- Ofcom accused GB News of breaching impartiality rules by not balancing the broadcast perspectives.
- GB News aimed to prevent Ofcom from publicizing the sanctions, fearing damage to their reputation.
- The court allowed Ofcom to proceed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public confidence.
In a significant legal development, GB News is on the verge of facing a substantial fine after losing a High Court battle against Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. The court’s decision permits Ofcom to move forward with its planned sanctions against the channel.
The case stems from a controversial live debate featuring former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, aired on GB News in February. The broadcast triggered over 500 complaints from viewers, who argued that the channel failed to present balanced viewpoints, a requirement under Ofcom’s impartiality rules.
Ofcom determined that GB News had indeed breached these rules by not offering equal weight to opposing perspectives, either during the debate itself or in supplementary programming. This led to the proposed sanctions, including a potentially significant fine, which GB News sought to contest through legal action.
The broadcaster argued for an injunction to stop Ofcom from publishing details of the sanctions, citing concerns over “irreparable damage” to their reputation. However, Mr. Justice Chamberlain dismissed this argument, underscoring the public interest in completing the regulatory process and the necessity of Ofcom’s role in ensuring compliance and maintaining public confidence in broadcasting standards.
Despite the setback, the court has granted GB News the opportunity to pursue a judicial review of the breach decision, allowing them to challenge the regulator’s findings. This decision reflects the ongoing tensions between broadcasters and regulators over the interpretation and enforcement of impartiality in media.
GB News has previously encountered similar challenges, having been found in breach of Ofcom’s broadcasting regulations multiple times. The channel has been scrutinized particularly for its employment of political figures like Jacob Rees-Mogg as presenters, with related programs also facing regulatory action for violating impartiality requirements.
In response to the court’s decision, Ofcom expressed satisfaction, emphasizing its commitment to upholding broadcasting standards in the public interest. Meanwhile, GB News’s chief executive, Angelos Frangopoulos, expressed relief that the court allowed for a review of Ofcom’s decisions, asserting that some of the regulator’s rulings have been “neither fair nor lawful.”
The outcome of this case is poised to influence future regulatory measures concerning political content in UK media.
