Ofcom has launched an investigation into a programme in which members of the public put questions to prime minister Rishi Sunak.
The regulator says People’s Forum: The Prime Minister on GB News could be in breach of impartiality rules.
“We have received around 500 complaints about the programme which aired on GB News on 12 February 2024,” the regulator said in a statement.
“We are investigating under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code which provide additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy. Specifically, Rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes.”
Around a dozen other shows from GB News are currently under investigation by Ofcom.
The programme was presented from Durham and featured the prime minister answering questions from the public. At the start of the show presenter Stephen Dixon tells viewers that the questions have been selected by an independent company and GB News is unaware of what the prime minister will be asked.
Last month the regulator postponed the publication of research into the use of serving politicians as presenters until its work on GB News has been completed.
