GB News Fined $130,000 by Ofcom for ‘Breaking Due Impartiality Rules’ During Rishi Sunak Live Show

variety.com:

Ellise Shafer Ofcom has fined GB News £100,000 ($130,000) for “breaking due impartiality rules” during Rishi Sunak‘s February live show “People’s Forum: The Prime Minister.” According to a statement released on Ofcom’s website on Thursday, an “earlier investigation found that an appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints was not presented and given due weight” in the special, “nor was due impartiality preserved through clearly linked and timely programs.” As a result, Ofcom concluded that then-Prime Minister Sunak “had a mostly uncontested platform to promote the policies and performance of his Government in a period preceding a U.K.

General Election,” which is in breach of the broadcasting code. In addition to the $130,000 fine, Ofcom has requested that GB News “broadcast a statement of our findings against it, on a date and in a form determined by us.” According to the Ofcom statement, GB News is challenging the decision by judicial review.

Ofcom is defending its decision, but sanctions will not be enforced until proceedings conclude. Representatives for GB News and Sunak did not immediately respond to Variety’s request for further comment.