Ofcom warning to broadcasters over election bias
UK media regulator Ofcom has warned broadcasters about the importance of impartiality ahead of the general election.
With a UK General Election due to take place before 25th January 2025, Ofcom have warned broadcasters to maintain the highest level of due impartiality, in line with rules that apply during election periods.
The regulator hinted any breaches of election programming rules are likely to be serious will result in considering the imposition of statutory sanctions.
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Also, the regulator stopped short of an outright ban of the use of politicians as presenters after determining there was no clear consensus among British viewers for the move. They are sensitive to risk such as right-leaning TV channels such as GB News have influential within the Tory party.
The guidance published today, also makes clear that broadcasters retain editorial freedom to create programmes which move between news and current affairs content. But it cautions that if a broadcaster chooses to use a politician as the host of such a programme, they must ensure they do not act as a newsreader, news interviewer or news reporter at any point in that programme.
