U.K. media regulator Ofcom has said it is “sounding a warning to broadcasters” to maintain “the highest level of due impartiality” ahead of a general election that is likely due later this year.
Ofcom has enhanced rules that apply during election periods. Any breaches of election programming rules will be treated as serious and will result in Ofcom considering the imposition of statutory sanctions. The regulator has reminded broadcasters that its Broadcasting Code prohibits candidates in U.K. elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of program during the election period. Politicians who are not standing as candidates in a U.K. election can present non-news programs – including current affairs – during election periods, provided that program complies with all relevant code rules.
The warning is in the wake of Ofcom finding last month that that five programs on the Gb News channel featuring politicians...
Ofcom has enhanced rules that apply during election periods. Any breaches of election programming rules will be treated as serious and will result in Ofcom considering the imposition of statutory sanctions. The regulator has reminded broadcasters that its Broadcasting Code prohibits candidates in U.K. elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of program during the election period. Politicians who are not standing as candidates in a U.K. election can present non-news programs – including current affairs – during election periods, provided that program complies with all relevant code rules.
The warning is in the wake of Ofcom finding last month that that five programs on the Gb News channel featuring politicians...
- 4/24/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Any British broadcaster who breaches general election programing rules will be hit with an Ofcom sanction, the regulator has said, a warning likely informed by a number of Gb News breaches over the past year.
In a strongly-worded broadside to the broadcasting community, Ofcom said it is putting broadcasters “on notice to maintain due impartiality ahead of the general election.”
“In particular, broadcasters are reminded that Rule 6.6 of the Code prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of programme during the election period,” Ofcom said today.
The right-leaning Gb News has been found to be in breach a number of times for its practice of having politicians host news programs, with the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Phillip Davies falling foul. Gb News has been investigated more than a dozen times for a variety of potential breaches by Ofcom...
In a strongly-worded broadside to the broadcasting community, Ofcom said it is putting broadcasters “on notice to maintain due impartiality ahead of the general election.”
“In particular, broadcasters are reminded that Rule 6.6 of the Code prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of programme during the election period,” Ofcom said today.
The right-leaning Gb News has been found to be in breach a number of times for its practice of having politicians host news programs, with the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Phillip Davies falling foul. Gb News has been investigated more than a dozen times for a variety of potential breaches by Ofcom...
- 4/24/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Gb News Broke Impartiality Rules on Shows With Politicians as Presenters, U.K. Media Regulator Finds
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has found that five programs on the Gb News channel featuring politicians as news presenters broke broadcasting due impartiality rules.
The investigation, which was launched last year, concluded that two episodes of “Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation,” hosted by the titular politician; two episodes of “Friday Morning With Esther and Phil,” featuring Esther McVey and Philip Davies; and one episode of “Saturday Morning With Esther and Phil,” broadcast during May and June 2023, failed to comply with Rules 5.1 and 5.3 of the Broadcasting Code. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party.
“We found that host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news – including reporting breaking news events – without exceptional justification. News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality,” Ofcom said.
“Politicians have an inherently partial role in society and news content presented...
The investigation, which was launched last year, concluded that two episodes of “Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation,” hosted by the titular politician; two episodes of “Friday Morning With Esther and Phil,” featuring Esther McVey and Philip Davies; and one episode of “Saturday Morning With Esther and Phil,” broadcast during May and June 2023, failed to comply with Rules 5.1 and 5.3 of the Broadcasting Code. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party.
“We found that host politicians acted as newsreaders, news interviewers or news reporters in sequences which clearly constituted news – including reporting breaking news events – without exceptional justification. News was, therefore, not presented with due impartiality,” Ofcom said.
“Politicians have an inherently partial role in society and news content presented...
- 3/18/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ofcom has delivered its biggest Gb News judgement yet, finding the network in breach on five different occasions over the thorny issue of politicians acting as news presenters.
Ofcom said Gb News is now “on notice that any repeated breaches of Rules 5.1 and 5.3 may result in the imposition of a statutory sanction” that could include a fine. Sanctions can also include a direction not to repeat content, a direction to broadcast a correction or a statement of Ofcom’s findings and, in the most serious cases, shortening, suspending or revoking a licence.
The shows found to have been in breach are two episodes of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation, two episodes of Friday Morning with Esther and Phil, and one episode of Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil, broadcast during May and June 2023. These episodes broke the part of the Ofcom code that says, “News, in whatever form,...
Ofcom said Gb News is now “on notice that any repeated breaches of Rules 5.1 and 5.3 may result in the imposition of a statutory sanction” that could include a fine. Sanctions can also include a direction not to repeat content, a direction to broadcast a correction or a statement of Ofcom’s findings and, in the most serious cases, shortening, suspending or revoking a licence.
The shows found to have been in breach are two episodes of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation, two episodes of Friday Morning with Esther and Phil, and one episode of Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil, broadcast during May and June 2023. These episodes broke the part of the Ofcom code that says, “News, in whatever form,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Fresh off being wrapped on the knuckles by UK regulators, this morning Gb News saw a pair of its presenters angrily clash over the sexual assault allegations surrounding Russell Brand.
In a video posted online by the network, Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner exchange furious words on the Britain’s Newsroom program as they expressed opinions on the allegations from a joint Channel 4 Dispatches, Times and Sunday Times investigation that presenter and actor Brand had committed several sexual offenses against four women. Brand denies the allegations. Watch the video below.
In the heated exchange, Pierce takes co-presenter Turner to task over a message sent on Saturday morning on X (see it below) supporting Brand, calling him a “hero.”
The message — released before the newspaper report and Channel 4 program but after Brand released a pre-emptive statement denying the allegations — claimed he was “being attacked” and Turner said that the Forgetting Sarah Marshall...
In a video posted online by the network, Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner exchange furious words on the Britain’s Newsroom program as they expressed opinions on the allegations from a joint Channel 4 Dispatches, Times and Sunday Times investigation that presenter and actor Brand had committed several sexual offenses against four women. Brand denies the allegations. Watch the video below.
In the heated exchange, Pierce takes co-presenter Turner to task over a message sent on Saturday morning on X (see it below) supporting Brand, calling him a “hero.”
The message — released before the newspaper report and Channel 4 program but after Brand released a pre-emptive statement denying the allegations — claimed he was “being attacked” and Turner said that the Forgetting Sarah Marshall...
- 9/18/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s broadcast standards investigation into Gb News has found the channel to be in breach of its impartiality rules.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program about the upcoming budget. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party.
Ofcom received 45 complaints from viewers who raised concerns that the program had failed to preserve due impartiality.
The investigation found that “the program was overwhelmingly reflective of the viewpoints of different strands of opinion within the Conservative Party. There were only very limited references to wider perspectives on U.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program about the upcoming budget. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party.
Ofcom received 45 complaints from viewers who raised concerns that the program had failed to preserve due impartiality.
The investigation found that “the program was overwhelmingly reflective of the viewpoints of different strands of opinion within the Conservative Party. There were only very limited references to wider perspectives on U.
- 9/18/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ofcom has found Gb News to be in breach of due impartiality rules in a landmark ruling pertaining to an episode of Esther McVey and Phillip Davies’ show.
The regulator’s investigation concluded that an episode of Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil, which aired on Gb News on March 11, failed to “represent and give due weight to an appropriately wide range of significant views on a matter of major political controversy and current public policy.”
The right-leaning news network therefore breached rules 5.11 and 5.12 of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code on impartiality, following 45 complaints.
This is the third time Gb News has breached Ofcom’s rules but the first regarding the controversial move to have politicians present topical shows and interview other politicians. There are six more investigations of this ilk currently open.
In the show found in breach, McVey and Davies, members of the ruling Conservative Party, interviewed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt...
The regulator’s investigation concluded that an episode of Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil, which aired on Gb News on March 11, failed to “represent and give due weight to an appropriately wide range of significant views on a matter of major political controversy and current public policy.”
The right-leaning news network therefore breached rules 5.11 and 5.12 of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code on impartiality, following 45 complaints.
This is the third time Gb News has breached Ofcom’s rules but the first regarding the controversial move to have politicians present topical shows and interview other politicians. There are six more investigations of this ilk currently open.
In the show found in breach, McVey and Davies, members of the ruling Conservative Party, interviewed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt...
- 9/18/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Four more Ofcom investigations have been opened into under-fire UK network Gb News, including the first into Laurence Fox’s show.
The regulator has just revealed it is probing a number of shows from the past few weeks that may have fallen foul of the Broadcsting Code preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders, along with various impartiality issues.
Fox’s show Laurence Fox, which was guest hosted by Martin Daubney, is being investigated over whether “due impartiality was preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy” after it featured an interview with Reform UK leader Richard Tice on the hot-button small boats issue. Right-wing actor Fox presents a daily show talking to topical issues with his “unique and outgoing style,” according to the network, which used to be backed by Discovery.
Episodes of a news show hosted by Conservative politicians Esther McVey and Philip Davies are being investigated twice...
The regulator has just revealed it is probing a number of shows from the past few weeks that may have fallen foul of the Broadcsting Code preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders, along with various impartiality issues.
Fox’s show Laurence Fox, which was guest hosted by Martin Daubney, is being investigated over whether “due impartiality was preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy” after it featured an interview with Reform UK leader Richard Tice on the hot-button small boats issue. Right-wing actor Fox presents a daily show talking to topical issues with his “unique and outgoing style,” according to the network, which used to be backed by Discovery.
Episodes of a news show hosted by Conservative politicians Esther McVey and Philip Davies are being investigated twice...
- 8/7/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
As three separate investigations involving serving politicians also acting as newsreaders are underway, Melanie Dawes, chief executive of U.K. media regulator Ofcom, has clarified the body’s position on the matter.
In an article originally published in the Telegraph and subsequently on the Ofcom website on Tuesday, Dawes wrote: “The Broadcasting Code is clear that serving politicians cannot be a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in any news program, unless there is an exceptional editorial justification. And in those exceptional cases, their political allegiance must be made clear to the audience. News programs will usually involve newsreaders directly addressing the audience, and may include reporter packages or live reports, with a mix of video and reporter items.”
Dawes added that outside of news programs, such as current affairs formats which typically feature more in-depth discussion, analysis, interviews and long-form video reports, there’s no Ofcom rule that prevents a serving...
In an article originally published in the Telegraph and subsequently on the Ofcom website on Tuesday, Dawes wrote: “The Broadcasting Code is clear that serving politicians cannot be a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in any news program, unless there is an exceptional editorial justification. And in those exceptional cases, their political allegiance must be made clear to the audience. News programs will usually involve newsreaders directly addressing the audience, and may include reporter packages or live reports, with a mix of video and reporter items.”
Dawes added that outside of news programs, such as current affairs formats which typically feature more in-depth discussion, analysis, interviews and long-form video reports, there’s no Ofcom rule that prevents a serving...
- 7/4/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
UK regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into shows hosted by politicians on Gb News and TalkTV, including one featuring a segment on Donald Trump’s civil trial.
The first investigation concerns former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation for right-leaning Gb News in which the recently-knighted Boris Johnson supporter covered a breaking news story about the verdict involving the former Potus.
State of the Nation received 40 Ofcom complaints. Both Gb News and TalkTV have of late been using politicians to host topical shows but they have consistently stayed within the realms of the regulator’s Broadcasting Code as they are allowed to interview other politicians and discuss topical issues as long as due impartiality is met. Rees-Mogg’s show may have strayed as politicians are not allowed to act as newsreaders unless under “exceptional circumstances.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of Talk TV’s Richard Tice...
The first investigation concerns former cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation for right-leaning Gb News in which the recently-knighted Boris Johnson supporter covered a breaking news story about the verdict involving the former Potus.
State of the Nation received 40 Ofcom complaints. Both Gb News and TalkTV have of late been using politicians to host topical shows but they have consistently stayed within the realms of the regulator’s Broadcasting Code as they are allowed to interview other politicians and discuss topical issues as long as due impartiality is met. Rees-Mogg’s show may have strayed as politicians are not allowed to act as newsreaders unless under “exceptional circumstances.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of Talk TV’s Richard Tice...
- 7/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched broadcast standards investigations into TalkTV, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and Gb News after receiving complaints.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party. The investigation is ongoing.
On Monday, Ofcom revealed that it is investigating an episode of “State of the Nation” on Gb News, which aired on May 9, after receiving 40 complaints. Presented by Conservative member of parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg, the episode covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving former U.
The issue of politicians who also serve as newsreaders being in potential breach of Ofcom’s impartiality rules has cropped up in recent months. In April, Ofcom launched an investigation into Gb News over an interview given by chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to Esther McVey and Philip Davies on March 11 on the “Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip” news program. All three politicians are members of parliament representing the ruling Conservative party. The investigation is ongoing.
On Monday, Ofcom revealed that it is investigating an episode of “State of the Nation” on Gb News, which aired on May 9, after receiving 40 complaints. Presented by Conservative member of parliament Jacob Rees-Mogg, the episode covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving former U.
- 7/3/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Chris Shaw has left the building. The Oscar-nominated British news executive is calling it quits after an on-off love affair with news producer ITN that has spanned 40 years, affording him a front-row seat to the biggest stories of his generation. Semi-retirement beckons, but not before a valedictory interview.
So is this Shaw unleashed? Has he, as Andrew Marr memorably put it when he left the BBC, found his voice after being constrained by ITN’s duty to impartiality? Not quite. It will take more than a jolly phone interview to break the habit of a career. But there is little doubt that he is looser-lipped on his final day at the office — and that’s good news because few are better placed than Shaw to reflect on the state of news in the UK.
His decorated résumé includes helping Rupert Murdoch launch Sky News in 1989 and, nearly a decade later,...
So is this Shaw unleashed? Has he, as Andrew Marr memorably put it when he left the BBC, found his voice after being constrained by ITN’s duty to impartiality? Not quite. It will take more than a jolly phone interview to break the habit of a career. But there is little doubt that he is looser-lipped on his final day at the office — and that’s good news because few are better placed than Shaw to reflect on the state of news in the UK.
His decorated résumé includes helping Rupert Murdoch launch Sky News in 1989 and, nearly a decade later,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
“Ambiguity” around social media guidelines was to blame for the BBC Gary Lineker scandal, according to Ofcom boss Melanie Dawes, who was challenged on the “creeping politicization” of UK TV news during a committee hearing this morning.
Dawes, whose regulator has oversight of many elements of the BBC, said it is right that the corporation “retains responsibility for their own social media guidelines,” as the BBC prepares to launch a review into these guidelines as trade-off for Lineker returning to his Match of the Day hosting duties.
Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (Dcmsc) this morning, Dawes said there was “ambiguity” in the current guidelines that was “designed to give a degree of flexibility but didn’t achieve what the BBC wanted,” leading to the furore. Her comments came after Deadline revealed the BBC had failed to heed a recommendation three years ago that it examine rules...
Dawes, whose regulator has oversight of many elements of the BBC, said it is right that the corporation “retains responsibility for their own social media guidelines,” as the BBC prepares to launch a review into these guidelines as trade-off for Lineker returning to his Match of the Day hosting duties.
Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (Dcmsc) this morning, Dawes said there was “ambiguity” in the current guidelines that was “designed to give a degree of flexibility but didn’t achieve what the BBC wanted,” leading to the furore. Her comments came after Deadline revealed the BBC had failed to heed a recommendation three years ago that it examine rules...
- 3/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Populist Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg is getting his own TV show... on populist channel Gb News.
On Thursday (26 January), the right-wing broadcaster announced that the Tory MP for North East Somerset is set to host his own current affairs programme.
He joins presenters including Nigel Farage and Eammon Holmes on the fledgling channel, which was launched back in June 2021.
The programme will see Rees-Mogg, a backbench politician known for his eccentric anachronisms and far-right views, discuss topical issues and interview guests.
The channel’s editorial director Mick Booker said in a statement: “Jacob is an authentic and authoritative voice of the Tory backbenches with his trademark common sense, refreshing directness, and an impish sense of fun. He’s a terrific addition to the Gb News family.”
He added: “The programme will embrace a range of guests and viewpoints from all sides of politics but will also explore some of Jacob’s other wide-ranging interests.
On Thursday (26 January), the right-wing broadcaster announced that the Tory MP for North East Somerset is set to host his own current affairs programme.
He joins presenters including Nigel Farage and Eammon Holmes on the fledgling channel, which was launched back in June 2021.
The programme will see Rees-Mogg, a backbench politician known for his eccentric anachronisms and far-right views, discuss topical issues and interview guests.
The channel’s editorial director Mick Booker said in a statement: “Jacob is an authentic and authoritative voice of the Tory backbenches with his trademark common sense, refreshing directness, and an impish sense of fun. He’s a terrific addition to the Gb News family.”
He added: “The programme will embrace a range of guests and viewpoints from all sides of politics but will also explore some of Jacob’s other wide-ranging interests.
- 1/26/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Scheme gives unemployed experience of working in film production, first film screens Monday.
Employment minister Esther McVey will be among the guests at the Ica on Monday for the premiere of a new short film produced by Signature Pictures, the Job Centre and social enterprise UnLtd.
London-set short film Belle, a psychological drama about a complicated mother-daughter relationship, is the first film produced by Signature Pictures as part of Future Film, a scheme to give unemployed youth experience of working in film.
The scheme sees young adults selected from job centres to shadow heads of department on a production budgeted around £10,000.
Backed by social enterprise outfit UnLtd, the initiative is the brainchild of Signature’s Jon Max Spatz, writer, producer and director of Belle.
Signature aims to produce a further four shorts using the same structure this year and will next head to other parts of the UK with high youth unemployment. Trainees are unpaid...
Employment minister Esther McVey will be among the guests at the Ica on Monday for the premiere of a new short film produced by Signature Pictures, the Job Centre and social enterprise UnLtd.
London-set short film Belle, a psychological drama about a complicated mother-daughter relationship, is the first film produced by Signature Pictures as part of Future Film, a scheme to give unemployed youth experience of working in film.
The scheme sees young adults selected from job centres to shadow heads of department on a production budgeted around £10,000.
Backed by social enterprise outfit UnLtd, the initiative is the brainchild of Signature’s Jon Max Spatz, writer, producer and director of Belle.
Signature aims to produce a further four shorts using the same structure this year and will next head to other parts of the UK with high youth unemployment. Trainees are unpaid...
- 1/10/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
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