GB News is heading for a substantial fine after the right-leaning channel failed in its High Court bid that would have blocked sanctions brought by the communications regulator Ofcom.The broadcaster sought to prevent Ofcom from sanctioning the controversial order over a string of breaches of its programming code.Central to the case was a question and answer session with then prime minister Rishi Sunak which the regulator said represented a serious and repeated breach of the rules by the right-leaning broadcaster.Ofcom received 547 complaints about the live, hour-long current affairs programme, which featured Rishi Sunak in front of a studio audience answering questions about the Government’s policies and performance.Lawyers for GB News argued the publication of sanctions details would cause “irreparable damage” to its reputation. But the argument was rejected by Mr Justice Chamberlain who said there was “significant public interest in allowing Ofcom to complete its process and publish its decision”.In a statement, Ofcom told Broadband TV News: “We are pleased that the Court has rejected GB News’ attempt to suspend the sanctions process, and has recognised the significant public interest in Ofcom completing it.”In March, Ofcom ruled GB News shouldn’t have used politicians as news presenters and had broken the impartiality rules on five separate occasions. Journalist Dan Wootton’s show was found to be in breach of Ofcom’s programming code after he let misogynistic comments by the political activist Laurence Fox go unchallenged.
Broadband TV News.