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UK media watchdog Ofcom has raised “significant concerns” about editorial controls at broadcaster GB News after ruling that comments made on air by actor Laurence Fox were “clearly and unambiguously misogynistic”.
Ofcom said that Fox’s comments about a female political journalist “were degrading and demeaning both to [her] and women generally”, and so broke broadcasting rules designed to protect viewers from offensive content.
Fox, who is also leader of the right-wing Reclaim party, made the comments about Ava Evans, a political correspondent for the website Joe, on a show presented by Dan Wootton.
GB News’ broadcasting standards and commitment to provide balanced viewpoints in its news coverage are under particular scrutiny in the run-up to the general election as a number of Conservative MPs present shows on its channel.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Philip Davies all present shows, while former Conservative deputy chair Lee Anderson and Nigel Farage also work for the channel. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is joining GB News as a presenter this year.
Ofcom is also investigating whether an hour long Q&A with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aired on GB News last month breached UK broadcasting impartiality rules.
After launching its own investigation in to the incident with Fox, the broadcaster blocked the actor from appearing on the channel and suspended Wootton. The right-leaning broadcaster also apologised for “totally unacceptable” comments in the interview.
Ofcom’s ruling on Monday includes some of the strongest wording used against GB News by the watchdog. It is under pressure to take firmer action against the group, which has been the subject of multiple investigations and found to have breached rules a number of times since it began broadcasting in 2021.
The regulator currently has about a dozen open investigations into GB News, which is backed by hedge fund boss Paul Marshall. Most relate to an alleged lack of impartiality by the broadcaster when its shows are presented by politicians.
Ofcom, which has the power to fine companies, said that it has told GB News to provide further detailed information about its compliance practices and has summoned the broadcaster to its offices to discuss the breach.
The watchdog said that Fox’s comments marked a highly personal attack on Evans and were potentially highly offensive to viewers.
It added that Wootton’s reaction and his limited challenge to Fox’s comments not only failed to mitigate the potential for offence, but exacerbated it “by contributing to the narrative in which a woman’s value was judged by her physical appearance”.
There was no apology for the remarks during the remainder of the two-hour programme.
Ofcom said in a statement: “We have significant concerns about GB News’ editorial control of its live output.”
GB News has been approached for comment.
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