Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
Labor is considering increasing Ofcom’s powers over politicians who host their own TV and radio shows due to concerns about fairness, the shadow culture secretary has suggested.
Thangam Debonair said it was already in talks with regulator Ofcom about how it could better uphold fairness rules for broadcast channels.
This comes after a number of complaints were received about some Tories, including Jacob Rees-Mogg, hosting their own programmes, and mainly Tory MPs interviewing each other on right-wing channel GB News. This is what I received.
Similar complaints were made against shadow foreign secretary David Lammy, who hosts his own radio slot on LBC on Sundays.
In an interview with House Magazine, Ms Debonaire said: Fairness, political fairness and balance. ”
The shadow cabinet member added that he had “already met with Ofcom” to discuss whether politicians have the necessary tools to ensure they comply with the rules.
Ofcom rules state that politicians cannot be newsreaders, interviewers or reporters on news programmes, “unless editorially justified in exceptional circumstances”, but MPs are allowed to host current affairs programmes. ing.
The watchdog has found that five of GB News’ programs hosted by Conservative MPs breached broadcasting rules, with the regulator imposing fines if such breaches are repeated. It warned broadcasters that if they did not do so, their licenses could be revoked.
Ofcom launched an investigation into Mr Lamy’s radio show last month after an episode in March prompted 51 complaints to the watchdog.
When presented with this example, Debonaire replied: “I think what David did with this show was he used it as a means of communication.
He added: “Ofcom will need to regulate all news organizations, how they compile their content and whether it complies with impartiality.”
Mr Debonaire also played down suggestions that a future Labor government might immediately introduce a free BBC license fee for people on benefits, saying the fee would be “not something I would consider”. “It’s not about being there.”
“It would be really detrimental to the BBC if I started presenting alternative funding options at this point,” she said. “I think it’s really important to recognize that the BBC needs funding. We need to fund it in a consistent way that they can trust.
“If we win the next general election, there will also be a charter renewal under the next Labor government. There’s a lot of work to do there. But we’re not thinking about that at the moment.”
Ms Debonaire opened up to the idea after it was floated by former BBC boss Greg Dyke earlier this year, hinting that such a move could be reserved for an update to the BBC Charter. Ta.
Ofcom warning
Ofcom last month warned broadcasters that use politicians as presenters that the “highest level of impartiality will be applied during election periods,” and that non-compliance could result in “legal sanctions.” I warned you that there is.
The regulator’s latest guidance comes after GB News was found to have breached broadcasting rules when three Conservative MPs acted as newsreaders on five different episodes of the show. Ta.
Ofcom’s investigation also includes programs presented by former House of Commons leader Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, as well as non-portfolio minister Esther McVeigh and backbencher Philip Davies, and the agency said: They were warned that further violations could result in sanctions.
Mr McVeigh and Ms Davis are no longer part of the GB News line-up.
Ofcom warned at the time that it was “notifying broadcasters in order to maintain due impartiality ahead of the general election.”
The statement said: “Broadcasters must comply with Article 6.6 of the Broadcasting Regulations, which prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of programs of any kind during election periods. Please remember that there is.”
Under current rules, politicians are allowed to host current affairs programs but are not allowed to act as newsreaders, with rules tightening in the run-up to elections.