UK television watchdog Ofcom has been deluged with a fresh wave of formal complaints, all targeting ITV's flagship daytime programme, This Morning. The controversy stems from a segment that featured a psychic and a so-called 'energy healer', which has left viewers fuming and accusing the show of plummeting to new lows.
The now-heavily criticised episode, presented by Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, included an appearance by spiritualist Sally Morgan and healer Simon Thomas. Thomas made the extraordinary claim that he could 'transfer energy' through the television screen to viewers at home, a statement that has been widely ridiculed and condemned.
Viewer Fury and Accusations of Irresponsibility
Audience members took to social media in droves to express their disbelief and anger. Many long-time fans of the show labelled the segment 'desperate', 'nonsensical', and dangerously 'misleading'. A common sentiment among complainants was that the show was exploiting vulnerable viewers by promoting pseudoscientific practices without any critical challenge from the hosts.
One incensed viewer commented on the official Ofcom complaints website, stating the segment had 'no place on a reputable broadcaster', while others questioned the editorial judgement of the production team for allowing it to air.
Ofcom's Next Steps and Precedent
This is not the first time This Morning has found itself in hot water with the regulator. The programme has a history of breaching Ofcom's strict broadcasting rules, particularly concerning segments that make unsubstantiated health claims. The sheer volume of complaints is likely to trigger a formal assessment by Ofcom to determine if a full investigation is warranted.
The core issue for the regulator will be whether the programme broke Rule 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code, which states that channels must avoid any content that has the potential to 'cause harm or offence'. Furthermore, rules around due accuracy and not materially misleading the audience are also expected to be scrutinised.
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the complaints had been received and were being 'assessed against our broadcasting rules'. The outcome could range from no further action to a full investigation and a potential sanction for ITV if rules are found to have been broken.
