Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, is facing mounting pressure to formally investigate a controversial GB News interview with former US President Donald Trump. Critics allege the broadcast contained significant inaccuracies and failed to challenge misleading statements, potentially breaching broadcasting rules.
Unchallenged Claims Spark Outcry
The interview, which the right-wing channel billed as a "world exclusive" in November, featured Trump making a series of contentious assertions. He claimed human-induced climate change was "a hoax" and made disputed remarks about wind power being the most expensive energy source. Furthermore, Trump stated that London had police "no-go" areas and was subject to "sharia law," comments which the presenter, Bev Turner, did not question.
Turner, host of a US-based nightly show on GB News, was accused of endorsing the former president's views. When Trump spoke about violent crime, she responded, "It's true... It's awful, it is. And it feels much safer [in the US]." She also praised a past Trump UN speech as "one of the greatest moments" and said she "loved it."
Formal Complaints and Regulatory Scrutiny
Ofcom has received at least three detailed complaints, co-signed by tens of thousands of people, regarding the programme. One complaint came from Bob Ward of the LSE's Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, who focused on the climate change misinformation. Another from the campaign group 38 Degrees highlighted a lack of due impartiality, noting Turner's apparent endorsement of Trump.
Chris Banatvala, Ofcom's founding director of standards, told the Guardian he had "never seen anything comparable on a UK-established domestic broadcaster." He argued the style of interview, with no challenge and a presenter "effectively feeding lines," was more akin to US networks like Fox News and warranted investigation for potential breaches of the rules on due impartiality and misleading content.
A Test for the Broadcast Regulator
The case presents a significant challenge for Ofcom, which is already facing accusations of reluctance to intervene on politically charged impartiality issues. Banatvala warned that if Ofcom chooses not to investigate, it would "effectively signal that the regulator has abandoned impartiality."
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed they are "assessing the complaints against our rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate." The regulator's rules state broadcasters must not "materially mislead the audience" and must maintain due impartiality.
GB News has declined to comment on the complaints. The channel has become a regular platform for figures from the Trump administration, with his former press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, repeatedly promoting the broadcaster.
