Media Confidential Why isn’t Ofcom investigating GB News?
Mar 23, 2026
Chris Banatvala, former Ofcom director of standards with expertise in broadcasting regulation, reflects on recent handling of GB News. He critiques a drop in investigations and a possible two-tier approach to impartiality. The conversation covers how format and presenter backgrounds shape bias, reasons Ofcom may be cautious, and whether legal or parliamentary changes are needed.
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Ofcom Investigation Volumes Have Collapsed
- Ofcom's published investigations fell sharply from 142 in 2019 to 36 in 2025.
- Fairness and privacy investigations averaged 37 a year over a decade but dropped to three in 2024, showing a broad collapse in scrutiny.
Trump Interview Went Largely Unchallenged On GB News
- GB News aired a fawning interview with Donald Trump including claims like 'climate change is the greatest hoax', which went unchallenged on-air.
- Ofcom accepted a late-night follow-up guest as adequate balance, a ruling Chris finds astonishing compared to BBC treatment.
Perceived Two-Tier Impartiality Enforcement
- Chris Banatvala argues a two-tier impartiality system appears to exist where the BBC faces stricter enforcement than commercial channels like GB News.
- He says identical content on the BBC would trigger rigorous investigation, implying inconsistent application of the code.