Ofcom Facing Pressure Over GB News Trump Interview

A string of complaints is piling pressure on Ofcom to examine a GB News interview with Donald Trump after viewers and experts said the programme allowed repeated false or misleading claims to go unchallenged. The row raises fresh questions about how far UK broadcasters can adopt the uncritical interview style common on some US channels. GB News promoted the November segment as a “world exclusive” sit-down with the US president. During the exchange, Trump denied human-caused climate change, claimed parts of London were off-limits to police and suggested “sharia law” had taken hold in the capital. He also made contested statements on North Sea drilling rules and the cost of wind energy. Critics say the host, Bev Turner, largely failed to push back — at times appearing to agree with his assertions. The complaints — including coordinated submissions signed by tens of thousands of people — argue the programme may have breached rules against materially misleading audiences and requirements for due impartiality. Among those calling for a formal probe is Chris Banatvala, a former director of standards at Ofcom, who described the interview style as unprecedented for a UK-established broadcaster and warned that allowing it to pass unchecked would signal a worrying erosion of impartiality rules. Climate experts have also complained. Bob Ward from the LSE’s Grantham Research Institute pointed to the president’s dismissal of human-driven climate change and other disputed claims about energy policy. A campaign group, 38 Degrees, accused the show of partiality, noting instances where the presenter praised Trump’s remarks rather than challenging them. GB News has become a recurring platform for figures tied to the Trump administration; his press secretary has repeatedly promoted the channel. The broadcaster declined to comment on the complaints. Ofcom says it is reviewing the submissions but has not yet decided whether to open a formal investigation. The regulator is already under scrutiny for how it handles politically sensitive content, and this case tests whether it will intervene when a domestically based channel appears to mirror the partisan interviewing styles more typical of some US outlets. For many viewers, the issue is straightforward: broadcast licence rules exist to prevent audiences being misled or shown a one-sided perspective. If those rules are to remain meaningful, regulators face a clear choice — enforce them or accept a different standard for UK television. --- Managing your business finances? TaxAce provides smart online accountancy services for UK businesses with flexible monthly plans. Image and reporting: https://www.theguardian.com | Read original article