GB News fined £100,000 for breaching impartiality rules

by · Mail Online

GB News was handed a £100,000 fine yesterday for breaching impartiality rules in a programme featuring Rishi Sunak.

It follows an appearance by Mr Sunak on a February 12 broadcast called People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where he was asked questions by a studio audience.

An earlier investigation by Ofcom found that 'an appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints was not presented and given due weight'.

Yesterday the media watchdog said that 'we concluded that the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had a mostly uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government in a period proceeding a UK General Election'.

Ofcom revealed it had also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of the findings. But GB News is challenging Ofcom's original ruling in the courts.

The fine follows an appearance by Mr Sunak on a February 12 broadcast called People's Forum: The Prime Minister, where he was asked questions by a studio audience
Nigel Farage is pictured above on his show on GB News. Ofcom revealed it had also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of the findings. But GB News is challenging Ofcom's original ruling in the courts

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The broadcaster yesterday said the sanctions are 'unnecessary, unfair and unlawful'.

Ofcom said it would not enforce the sanction until the legal case was resolved.

GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos said: 'We believe these sanctions are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful. 

'The High Court has already granted GB News permission to bring a judicial review to challenge Ofcom's decision that the programme was in breach of due impartiality requirements.

'The sanction proposed by Ofcom is therefore still subject to that legal challenge.

'The plan to sanction GB News flies in the face of Ofcom's duty to act fairly, lawfully and proportionately to safeguard free speech, particularly political speech and on matters of public interest.'

Ofcom said in its sanctions announcement: 'Given the seriousness and repeated nature of this breach, Ofcom has imposed a financial penalty of £100,000 on GB News Limited.'

GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos (pictured) said: 'We believe these sanctions are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful'
Yesterday the media watchdog said that 'we concluded that the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak (pictured), had a mostly uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his government in a period proceeding a UK General Election'

It added: 'We have also directed GB News to broadcast a statement of our findings against it, on a date and in a form determined by us.

'GB News is challenging our original breach decision in this case by judicial review, which we are defending. 

'Ofcom will not enforce this sanction decision until those proceedings are concluded.'