The UK regulator Ofcom has launched a new investigation into GB News after coverage of the civil trial verdict involving former US President Donald Trump was fronted by the Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg MP.
The regulator received 40 complaints into the breaking news story that formed part of an episode of State of the Nation. There’s concern the programme could have broken rules preventing politicians from acting as newsreaders in any news programmes, unless exceptionally, it is editorially justified.
An investigation into Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip broadcast on GB News on 11 March 2023, remains ongoing.
Ofcom is currently seeking views on the use of serving politicians as presenters of TV and radio programmes. There has been an increase in the number of such presenters, particularly on the right of the political spectrum. Following the launches of GB News and its rival TalkTV.
Ofcom is also investigating whether Richard Tice on Talk TV, presented by Alex Salmond on 2 April, broke our rules requiring news and current affairs to be presented with due impartiality.
It received two complaints about this programme, specifically in relation to a discussion on the SNP.
Salmond is a former leader of the SNP, but left the party in 2017, and subsequently established his own party.
