Ofcom has decided not to investigate the infamous Ed Balls softball interview with Yvette Cooper on Good Morning Britain, after ITV described it as “fair and impartial.” Not the most romantic description of the Coopers’ marriage…
Despite Ofcom receiving nearly 17,000 complaints—nearly double last year’s most complained-about show—the watchdog has decided not to even look into the husband/wife interview. Guido is surprised it decided against an investigation, considering its history of jumping at the opportunity to impose self-righteous rules on other outlets, namely GB News. Here’s a reminder of a few GB News shows that were found in breach of the rules in the past:
And Ofcom is “independent and impartial”…
Ofcom has received 16,812 complaints for the Good Morning Britain show aired August 5th which saw presenter Ed Balls giving his wife Yvette Cooper an easy ride, as well as a controversial interview with Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana. That’s nearly double last year’s most complained about show, which saw over 8,800 complaints for Dan Wootton’s GB News interview with Laurence Fox…
Like Guido, viewers were more than a little shocked to see the husband and wife exchange that didn’t exactly see Balls’ doing his usual “over the top” bit to the home secretary, let alone any hard-hitting questions. Ofcom are usually happy to wrap GB News and other right-leaning outlets on the knuckles. Will they do the same over Mr. and Mrs. Cooper?
After winning damages and an apology from the Daily Mirror, an apology from the Guardian, a reverse ferret from Emily Maitlis, no further action from the Metropolitan Police, quitting GB News and being sacked by the Daily Mail there was still an outstanding investigation by Ofcom.
Ofcom has just released a short statement: “We discontinued a fairness and privacy complaint about this programme. In line with our published procedures given the nature of fairness and privacy cases, we will not be commenting further.” After putting Dan Wootton through the wringer, that’s it.
Nigel Farage has blasted Ofcom for what he brands as “election interference’”by limiting Reform UK’s media coverage. Farage points to the polls showing the party tied with the Tories at 19%, yet the party is allocated just 8% of broadcast media coverage. So Nigel turned to social media to share his fiery views instead…
“This now amounts to election interference. This is denying the public to hear arguments that are gaining great resonance out there on the ground. I can see that because our social media numbers are literally through the roof…Ofcom are a disgrace, they’re almost rigging this election in favour of the existing parties.”
It’s understood at least one broadcaster is taking legal advice over challenging the Ofcom rules “before it’s too late”. Meanwhile, one media executive who told Reform UK:
“The problem is that most people in British TV don’t want to cover the election fairly anyway and neither do the pen-pushers at Ofcom. It’s another example of the civil service and quango staff’s liberal “blob” in action.”
Last year Nigel took on the banks. Could Ofcom be next?
UPDATE: An Ofcom spokesperson responds:
“These are not new rules – they are longstanding, and apply to all broadcasters. Our rules make clear that due weight must be given to the coverage of political parties during an election period. When making decisions on the appropriate level of coverage, broadcasters must take into account evidence of past electoral support and/or current support. They must also consider giving appropriate coverage to parties and independent candidates with significant views and perspectives.”
GB News has issued a press release after Ofcom said it would begin the 60-day process of deciding a sanction for its Sunak “People’s Forum” event. It’s feisty…
“GB News has begun the formal legal process of challenging recent Ofcom decisions which go against journalists’ and broadcasters’ rights to make their own editorial judgements in line with the law and which also go against Ofcom’s own rules.
Ofcom is obliged by law to uphold freedom of expression. Ofcom is also obliged to apply its rules fairly and lawfully. We believe that, for some time now, Ofcom has been operating in the exact opposite manner
We cannot allow freedom of expression and media freedom to be trampled on in this way. Freedom of the press is a civil right established by the British in the seventeenth century with the abolition of censorship and licensing of the printing press.
We refuse to stand by and allow this right to be threatened. As the People’s Channel we champion this freedom; for our viewers, for our listeners, for everyone in the United Kingdom.”
It remains to be seen exactly which legal route the underdog will use to take on the regulator…
