GB News is in chaos as it was found to be in breach of television impartiality rules.
Ofcom launched an investigation after they received complaints regarding an episode of Saturday Morning withEsther and Phil which first aired in March 2023.
The programme lasts two hours every week and is a discussion based programme which is presented by former GMTV personality Esther McVey and her husband Philip Davies, both of whom are sitting Conservative MPs.
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However today, the broadcast regulator has ruled that an episode, which featured a pre-recorded interview between the two politicians and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP was in breach of the code.
(Image: GB News)
The beleaguered channel was the subject of complaints after they aired an interview which was focused on the Government’s approach to the Spring Budget, which was announced four days later.
Concerned viewers were worried that the channel failed to ‘preserve due impartiality’ and the regulator ruled that their investigation found that “the programme was overwhelmingly reflective of the viewpoints of different strands of opinion within the Conservative Party”.
Although the regulator classed the programme as a “current affairs” show, as three separate news bulletins aired within the time, something which the startup network was keen to emphasise in their statement.
Commenting on the third breach of broadcasting rules since it launched in June 2021, the news network said in a press release: “We take compliance seriously and we believe our programme embraced this. We will reflect on Ofcom’s view.
(Image: GB News)
They added: “Ofcom has repeatedly stated our right to freedom of expression and to decide our own, innovative editorial approach to all of our programming”.
This comes on the day that two hosts got into a huge on-air spat over allegations relating to Russell Brand – who was accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013 by four women.
Good Morning Britain star Andrew Pierce and former This Morning commentator Bev Turner were caught in a huge argument live on their show after she took to X in support of Russell Brand after serious misconduct allegations.
During their broadcast, Andrew called her “reckless” and her choice of words ‘shameful’ as he claimed she star had not even seen the Channel 4 Dispatches documentary when she issued her defence of the star.
(Image: @Russell Brand/YouTube)
Beverly, 49, vehemently defended her choice to call the former Big Brother’s Big Mouth presenter a ‘hero’ because of his viewpoint over the COVID-19 pandemic
In a huge dig, exclaimed: “Shame on you for attacking these women”.
“It’s now about Covid again, Beverly Turner’s other big hobbyhorse, she can’t get through an hour without going on about Covid.
“This is not about Covid, this is about serious allegations about a public figure who has been accused by four women … and you’re banging on about Covid.”
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC)
He added: “You’re obsessed.”
At the weekend, Channel 4 and Sunday Times’ joint investigation revealed claims of sexual assault from four separate women dating back to the height of his fame.
This was at a time when Brand was working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films alongside well-known stars.
In a video statement posted to his own social media account, Russell denied the allegations.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
