Jacob Rees-Mogg’s GB News show investigated by Ofcom over impartiality rules
Media watchdog says broadcasting code prevents politicians acting as newsreader, interviewer or reporter unless ‘editorially justified’
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Jacob Rees-Mogg’s GB News show is being investigated by Ofcom for a potential breach of the rules.
The UK media watchdog launched four further investigations into the channel’s compliance with due impartiality rules.
Ofcom said it was looking at three programmes, including Jacob Rees-Mogg’s show ‘State Of The Nation’, in relation to its rule that politicians must not act as news presenters.
Mr Rees-Mogg’s show is being investigated for a programme that aired on 13 June 2023 and discussed a stabbing incident in Nottingham.
It is also investigating an episode from Laurence Fox, which was guest-presented by Martin Daubney and featured an interview with Richard Tice, the leader of the political party Reform UK.
The programme included a discussion about immigration and asylum policy, particularly in relation to small boats crossing the English Channel.
The fourth investigation concerns an episode of ‘Saturday Morning with Esther and Phil’, which aired on 12 May 2023, hosted by serving MPs and husband and wife duo Esther Mcvey and Philip Davies.
During the programme, there was discussion about a range of issues including a matter relating to a teenager who was being sentenced for terrorism offences.
Their show is also being investigated for featuring an interview with Howard Cox – the Reform UK Party’s candidate for the London Mayoral Election – speaking live from an anti-Ultra Low Emission Zone demonstration.
As well as the ‘politicians as presenters’ rule, Ofcom said it was also assessing the programme’s compliance of presenting with impartiality.
Ofcom said: “We will work to conclude our investigations as swiftly as possible in accordance with our formal published procedures.”
The investigations come months after Adam Baxter, director of broadcasting standards at Ofcom, said that the watchdog will be looking at GB News to see if the broadcaster is “behaving itself” following the channel breaching its broadcasting code with Covid claims for the second time.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments