GB News faces further investigation by Ofcom after being censured for spreading “harmful and misleading” claims about Covid vaccines
Whilst Ofcom said the programme “fell short of broadcasting standards” and was a “significant breach”, it declined to require GB News to air an apology and has not imposed a fine on the channel.
If GB News is found guilty of further breaches of broadcasting rules, it could be fined or even have its licence revoked. “Every breach is recorded against the broadcaster’s compliance record,” Ofcom toldGB News has defended itself against criticisms but there are those within the organisation who fear dabbling in the wilder fringes of conspiracy theories, as Steyn’s treatment of covid vaccinations was seen to be by many, will damage its bid to reach more mainstream right-wing viewers.
Steyn has now quit GB News, following a contract dispute over whether the Canadian polemicist should be personally liable to pay any Ofcom fines over his shows. The channel had avoided any Ofcom sanction since its troubled launch in June 2021, despite regularly giving a platform to anti-vaccine views and turning figures such as Nigel Farage into star presenters.
However, GB News critics said Ofcom’s ruling had not gone far enough. Dr Matthew Sweet, the writer and BBC presenter, tweeted: “If GB News continues to employ anti-vax conspiracy theorists instead of journalists I suspect there will be more like this. Facts matter.” But its funding from owner hedge-fund boss Sir Paul Marshall is not limitless and GB News has recently cut studio shifts and contributor fees in a bid to rein in costs.
“Our role in media is to ask tough questions, point out inconsistencies in government policy, and hold public bodies to account when the facts justify it.”
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