Today: 7 October 2025
20 February 2024
1 min read

Watchdog opens probe over Sunak’s TV appearance

During the broadcast, the show’s presenter said the questions addressed to Sunak were from undecided voters ahead of a general election later this year and had not been seen in advance by Sunak or by the channel…reports Asian Lite News

Independent media watchdog Office of Communications (OFCOM) on Monday opened an investigation into whether impartiality rules were broken during British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent television appearance after receiving around 500 complaints from viewers.

OFCOM said its probe covers the ‘People’s Forum: The Prime Minister’ programme which aired on ‘GB News’ last Monday. Under its Broadcasting Code, OFCOM requires a wide range of views to be expressed to ensure impartiality within a political setting.

“We have received around 500 complaints about the programme which aired on ‘GB News’ on 12 February 2024,” an OFCOM statement said.

“We are investigating under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of the Broadcasting Code, which provides 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,” it said.

During the broadcast, the show’s presenter said the questions addressed to Sunak were from undecided voters ahead of a general election later this year and had not been seen in advance by Sunak or by the channel.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the Prime Minister did not regret taking part in the show and that “this is a matter for OFCOM”.

While the watchdog’s “due impartiality” requirement in current affairs and political output does not require the same amount of time to be given to opposing views, audiences must be exposed to alternative ways of thinking. It has the power to impose fines or other sanctions if a media outlet is found in breach of its Broadcasting Code.

‘GB News’, a right-leaning, relatively new network, is being investigated by OFCOM for other shows as well, including over impartiality issues.

ALSO READ-Sunak paid over £500,000 in tax last year

Previous Story

Court finds Senegalese guilty over migrant sea deaths

Next Story

ICJ to hold hearings on legality of Israel’s occupation

Latest from -Top News

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on

Hamas Heads to Egypt for Gaza Talks

The negotiation will focus on the details of enacting the first phase of the plan…reports Asian Lite News A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas arrived in Egypt on Sunday ahead of

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Obama ‘drops in’ for informal meet with Sunak

The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Obama had made “an

Millions vote to elect new govt

Voters in a total of 650 constituencies across England, Wales,