BBC star Nick Robinson has slammed the broadcast regulator Ofcom after it suggested Nigel Farage and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg won’t be banned from presenting shows on GB News during the election.
In new guidance this morning, Ofcom said it is putting news stations “on notice” ahead of the election, warning them to maintain due impartiality. They revealed new research showing that while viewers like impartiality, a wide-ranging focus group found viewers split over whether politicians should be able to present shows.
According to Ofcom, opinions on the question of politicians presenting current affairs programs saw “no clear consensus for an outright ban”.
They report that while some audience members are “uncomfortable” with the growing trend, others argue it supports both free expression and allows politicians to be more accountable to the public.
While Ofcom has now strengthened guidance on the rules around politicians presenting shows, BBC star Nick Robinson voiced fury that the regulator didn’t announce an all-out ban on the likes of Mr. Farage on GB News.
Taking to X, the Today presenter fumed: “So, Nigel Farage – one of the founders and owners of Reform UK – can present an ‘impartial’ program on a TV ‘news’ channel during the general election according to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom.
“The leader of the party, Richard Tice, and its only MP Lee Anderson, can present programs in the run up to the campaign alongside Jacob Rees-Mogg.
“Is that your idea of impartiality?”
Hitting back, Lee Anderson blasted: “I have more confidence in Nigel Farage being impartial than you or the station you work for.
“It’s actually laughable that you talk about impartiality.”
Another X user added: “[GB News] is just as impartial as the BBC, but at least they’re honest about which side they support.”
However others agreed with Mr. Robinson, suggesting Ofcom is “no longer fit for purpose”. Another said: “Robinson is entirely correct. This is surely wildly out of line? Why is Ofcom so toothless?”
Ofcom did issue a warning to broadcasters who use politicians as presenters, demanding they maintain “the highest level of due impartiality”.
The warned: “Any breaches of election programming rules are likely to be serious and to result in Ofcom considering the imposition of statutory sanctions.”
While Mr. Robinson complained that Lee Anderson and Jacob Rees-Mogg have received the green light to continue as GB News presenters during the election, Ofcom in fact says the opposite. The regulator stresses that while politicians who are not candidates at the election can present non-news programs, those standing as candidates are prohibited from presenting “any type of program during the election period”. This means that both Sir Jacob and Mr. Anderson will likely have to retire from their broadcasting careers when the election kicks off.
