Ofcom Under Fire for Refusing to Investigate GB News Trump Interview
The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, has been accused of abandoning "any pretence" of guarding against misleading and biased television coverage, following its refusal to investigate numerous complaints about a GB News interview with former US President Donald Trump. This decision has sparked outrage among media standards experts and climate change advocates, who argue it undermines fundamental regulatory requirements.
Controversial Claims Left Unchallenged
During the interview broadcast last November on the rightwing network, Trump made several false assertions, including that human-induced climate change is "a hoax" and that parts of London operate under sharia law with no-go areas for police. He also discussed law and order and immigration issues, with critics alleging that interviewer Bev Turner, host of GB News's US-based nightly show, either failed to challenge or endorsed these claims.
Ofcom received 32 complaints alleging the interview was misleading or partial, but a spokesperson stated the regulator would not pursue an investigation. While acknowledging Trump's views "were not challenged during the interview itself," Ofcom argued that "alternative perspectives" were presented in a surrounding panel discussion that contested his opinions.
Standards Expert Expresses Astonishment
Chris Banatvala, Ofcom's founding director of standards who drafted its code and investigation procedures, said he was "astounded" by the decision. "If there were ever a case that merited investigation for the broadcast of potentially misleading material and a failure to meet due impartiality requirements, this was it," he asserted.
Banatvala emphasized that Trump was allowed to make unfounded allegations without challenge, potentially misleading viewers and eroding basic broadcast journalism standards. "This was a test case for how Ofcom regulates broadcasters on due impartiality. It has failed that test," he declared, adding that the decision raises serious questions about Ofcom's willingness to enforce its own legislative standards.
Climate Misinformation Concerns Raised
Another complainant, Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the LSE's Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, condemned Ofcom's "shockingly bad decision" for allowing "pernicious climate misinformation." He noted the interview contained falsehoods such as claims about climate change being a hoax and China lacking windfarms.
"This feeble decision, with no explanation offered, rather suggests that Ofcom is afraid of standing up to Trump for fear of antagonising him further," Ward stated. His comments reflect broader concerns within the media industry that Ofcom has increasingly avoided addressing politically divisive accusations of bias and misleading content in recent years.
Ofcom Defends Its Assessment
An Ofcom spokesperson defended the regulator's approach, explaining: "We carefully considered complaints about this current affairs programme which featured an interview with US President Donald Trump interspersed with a studio panel discussion and other guest interviews. Preserving due impartiality is a cornerstone of Ofcom's broadcasting rules and we carried out a detailed assessment of the entire programme as broadcast."
The spokesperson reiterated that while Trump's views were not challenged during the interview segment, the surrounding content provided alternative perspectives that strongly challenged his position, justifying the decision not to investigate further. GB News was contacted for comment but declined to respond.
This controversy highlights ongoing debates about media regulation, impartiality, and the handling of misinformation in broadcast journalism, with critics arguing that Ofcom's stance may signal a weakening of regulatory oversight in politically sensitive areas.
