GB News has welcomed a new parliamentary report which warns of the need to protect media plurality and safeguard free speech.
The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee yesterday published the findings of its inquiry into “The future of news” and made a number of recommendations to “ensure audience needs and expectations are well served”.
The report argued “the UK’s broadcasting market will only thrive if there is healthy competition” and that “new entrants like GB News provide an alternative to the public service broadcasters”.
Among its findings, the committee warned measures that could be introduced in the future to “protect the health of the information environment… must not undermine confidence in free speech”.
Commenting on the report, GB News’ chief executive Angelos Frangopoulos said: “GB News welcomes the Future Of News Report which recognises the fact that the UK’s broadcasting market will only thrive if there is healthy plurality and competition.
“The current regulatory regime does not support this. We strongly believe it needs to be updated to recognise the huge changes in the consumption and distribution of news that have occurred in recent years.
“The report rightly highlights how GB News is filling a gap in the UK broadcasting landscape which is helping reach a fast-growing audience.
“The report also notes that GB News’ viewers and listeners consider our content to be trustworthy, accurate and impartial. It also highlights the vital role we play as a much-needed alternative to public service broadcasters, particularly through our representation of previously under-served communities.
“The report highlights how audiences in lower socio-economic groups often feel ‘criticised or caricatured’ rather than authentically reflected. It also noted there had been a very marked decline [in trust] over the course of the past 10 to 15 years among older, Brexit-voting, working class, leave voters.
“Addressing these shortcomings is precisely why GB News exists and thrives. We remain determined to provide content which addresses all audiences, including those who feel established broadcasters don’t speak to them or for them.
“However, our freedom to fulfill this vital role is being threatened, not least by Ofcom’s plans to impose sanctions upon us which are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful.
“We particularly welcome the conclusion in the report stating that Ofcom’s approach to impartiality has not been clear. This is a concern we have raised repeatedly.
“As the report makes clear, there has been just one breach decision relating to content broadcast by GB News over the past year. We are challenging that decision, alongside two earlier ones, via judicial review.
“The report acknowledges the fact Ofcom itself has previously stated there are some people who wouldn’t be happy unless or until GB News was shut down. This lobbying to the regulator should be called out for what it is – a direct attack on free speech and to UK journalism. We will continue to provide a voice to those who don’t believe they are being spoken to by the mainstream media.
“We take our responsibilities under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code extremely seriously and remain committed to operating a comprehensive compliance regime. But we also strongly believe that this regime should be modern, fit for purpose and much clearer.
“It’s vital the Government establishes conditions to support honest, accurate and informative news which enables the UK media to stand on its own feet through sector-wide structural changes that drive innovation – whilst maintaining media independence.”