Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, is rushing to close a legal loophole that allows politicians to effectively act as newsreaders on channels such as GB News, TalkTV, and LBC. The move follows the dropping of 11 investigations or rulings after GB News successfully challenged two Ofcom decisions concerning former Conservative cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg reading news updates.
The High Court ruled that Rees-Mogg had not breached impartiality rules because he was presenting a “current affairs” programme rather than a news programme. In response, Ofcom is conducting a rapid review of regulations to ensure all programmes are covered by the same impartiality rules. The regulator stated it will consult on proposed changes to restrict politicians from presenting news in any type of programme, with the consultation expected later in the spring.
Among the dropped cases is an investigation into Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on GB News, alongside five probes into shows featuring former Conservative minister Jake Berry, ex-MEP Alex Phillips, former deputy Reform UK leader David Bull on Talk, and Labour’s David Lammy on LBC. Three earlier decisions against GB News, including over programmes presented by Conservative MP Esther McVey and former Tory MP Philip Davies, had already been withdrawn.
Separately, Ofcom has launched an investigation into GB News’s programme Headliners, after a presenter suggested that the “full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons” at a church would “include paedos”. The presenter, Josh Howie, claimed the comments were part of a comedy show. GB News chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos defended the programme, attributing the complaint to a “coordinated political campaign by far-left pressure groups” and vowing to defend free speech rights.
