Media Leader: Why should it take Ofcom a year to censure GB News for misinformation?

Story from Media Leader:

As GB News officially breaches Ofcom rules for the first time, what does it mean for the self-styled ‘voice of Real Britain?’

To be honest, I was surprised that Ofcom’s ruling, that (now former) GB News presenter Mark Steyn breached the terms of its licence last April by spreading misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccine, was only the first instance of the right-leaning broadcaster crossing the line between opinion and shit-stirring fantasy.

Perhaps it’s due to Ofcom’s policy over only responding to complaints, rather than initiating investigations — a 24/7 job if you watch the likes of the now-departed Steyn and unhinged former colleagues such as Neil Olivier (‘The Coast Guy’), ex-showbiz gossip stringer Dan ‘Scoop’ Wootton, oddball ‘priest’ Calvin Robinson, and ranting Ezra Pound-lite Mark Dolan, (apparently a comedian and co-presenter of 2015’s If Katie Hopkins Ruled the World in his thankfully under-the-radar pre-GB News career).

Not to mention TV cook Tonya Buxton (My Greek Kitchen), who regularly appears on the channel to dispense her ‘expert’ advice on constitutional law and vaccine epidemiology.

Steyn’s April 2022 on-air comments regarding his favourite topic of Covid vaccines earned this rebuke from Ofcom: “In this case, our investigation found that an episode of the Mark Steyn programme fell short of these standards — not because it exercised its editorial freedom to challenge mainstream narratives around Covid-19 vaccination — but because, in doing so, it presented a materially misleading interpretation of official data without sufficient challenge or counterweight, risking harm to viewers.”

It should be noted that Ofcom hardly moved at lightning speed in their adjudication; just short of a year to weigh in on a relatively clear-cut issue.

We don’t know yet how much any fine is likely to be, but it may well run into tens of thousands of pounds — and be accompanied by an on-air apology/correction. Possibly read by a smirking Dolan.

According to Steyn, GB News insisted that he would have to pay the penalty, hence his swift exit from the channel, giving both them and the regulator the metaphorical finger on the way out; “I’m on the hook there for Ofcom fines – but, and this is the important point, I don’t have any say in our defence against an Ofcom complaint. That’s all done by GB News. So, Ofcom’s bitch, as I call the compliance officer, will be making the weedy, wimpy defence to Ofcom, and then I’m the one who has to pay the £40,000 fine or whatever it is.”

On-air Ofcom near-misses had already resulted in training seminars on Ofcom rules for presenters, but there is little evidence of this new cognisance on screen.

“Initial workshops, on the law and Ofcom, are vital for all with no exceptions. Education is always a great investment” according to GB News Chairman Alan McCormick.

A second Ofcom inquiry, this time into comments on Steyn’s show made on 4 October 2022 by once respected author Naomi Wolf on — you guessed it — supposed vaccine complications, is currently still in train.

Whatever Ofcom’s faults, which have been compounded (in my view) by the hiring of octogenarian free-speech advocate Michael Grade, at least the regulator has some teeth and has been known to enforce the rules.

But in the US it’s a wholly different matter, as has been revealed (well it was hiding in plain sight, to be honest) by the behaviour of Fox News during and after the 2020 presidential election.

Dominion Voting System’s defamation lawsuit against the channel revealed presenters endorsing ‘The Big Lie’ on air even when they privately acknowledged it was baloney, motivated by a desire to retain viewers (and consequent enormous revenues) who bought Donald Trump’s bullshit.

This obsession with the Fox News bottom line led to some (Tucker Carlson) calling for fellow employees who had corrected the narrative to be fired, whilst others (Bret Baier) wanted the channel’s accurate early decision to call Arizona for Biden to be reversed.

If Fox lose the case, the financial consequences for Rupert Murdoch’s network could potentially be catastrophic.

Although US regulator the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), saw fit to criticise Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, Fox News’ behaviour thus far has been treated with a light (nay non-existent) touch.

Much of the Wild West attitude to news in the US stems from Reagan’s politically-motivated revocation of the FCC fairness doctrine, which required an element of balance when discussing controversial matters of public interest on air.

Speaking of light touch and impartiality, it does seem bizarre when sitting MPs are allowed their own TV shows (Nadine Dorries and Jacob Rees-Mogg), whilst Tim Davie’s BBC can allow Tom Harwood (GB News freshly minted deputy political editor) free rein to (literally) yell his head off on Question Time last week.

And finally, if you think the rise of right-wing demagogue radio/TV is a recent phenomenon, I invite you to take a look at Stuart Rosenberg’s 1970 motion picture WUSA.

In the movie, Paul Newman’s cynical drifter Rheinhardt scores a gig as an announcer for WUSA, an extreme conservative talk radio station intent on stirring up racial and civil unrest to benefit its authoritarian agenda.

Newman’s character is okay with spouting the station’s reactionary politics on the airwaves, even when personally disagreeing with them; a situation said by some to be mirrored in the UK at GB News and TalkTV.

Well, we are in the midst of a rolling recession…

• The views on this post are from Stephen Arnell who began his career at the BBC, before moving to ITV where he launched and managed digital channels. He continues to consult for streamers and broadcasters on editorial strategy. He currently writes for The Spectator, The Independent, and The Guardian on film, TV and cultural issues. He is also a writer/producer (including Bob Fosse: It’s Showtime for Sky Arts) and novelist.