politics
Ofcom to Investigate GB News Over Trump Interview
Ofcom will examine whether a GB News programme that aired an interview with President Trump on November 15 breached rules on due impartiality and material misleadingness. The regulator had previously decided not to investigate an earlier broadcast of the same interview on the same day. GB News said it was surprised by the decision to investigate the repeat airing.
May 11, 7:22 AM·1m read1 source
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The regulator will examine an episode of The Weekend presented by Dawn Neesom that aired at 12pm on November 15. The programme featured the interview conducted by GB News presenter Bev Turner. An Ofcom spokesperson said the regulator is investigating whether the episode breached rules on due impartiality and material misleadingness.
Ofcom takes content and contextual factors into account for each programme when deciding whether to open an investigation. The communications watchdog had confirmed in February that it would not investigate an episode of The Late Show Live presented by Turner.
Ofcom will now investigate the airing of the interview 12 hours later in Neesom’s programme.
The broadcaster said it was surprised and concerned by Ofcom’s delayed decision to investigate. This came after the regulator had published an “assessed, not pursued” finding for the original broadcast and issued a public statement explaining why that programme complied with the Broadcasting Code.
GB News stands firmly by its journalism and editorial standards. The company added that the sequence of events raises questions around the rationale for reopening the matter. It also raises concerns around regulatory certainty, procedural fairness and the consistency of Ofcom’s processes.
