Ofcom Warns Broadcasters To Maintain Impartiality Ahead of Election

Five episodes of GB News programmes that were presented by Tory MPs were recently found by Ofcom to have broken broadcasting rules. (Press Association via AP Images)

Media watchdog Ofcom threatened “statutory sanctions” against any broadcaster that breaches impartiality during coverage of the general election in a clear warning from the regulator that demands “the highest levels of compliance.”

In an article published on its website on Wednesday, the watchdog said it was putting broadcasters “on notice” that it would be intensifying enforcement to punish any election bias and issued strengthened industry guidance on rules around using sitting politicians as presenters.

Ofcom said: “Broadcasters are reminded that Rule 6.6 of the Code prohibits candidates in UK elections from acting as news presenters, interviewers or presenters of any type of programme during the election period.”

Sharing for the first time its research on the public’s opinion on politicians presenting current affairs shows, Ofcom said that “people expressed a range of views” about the issue “but although there were concerns, there’s no clear consensus for an outright ban.”

Instead, the watchdog reiterated that broadcasters who use sitting politicians must take “extra care.”

Ofcom’s warning comes just days after Channel 4 became the first broadcaster to reveal its general election team, which includes lead presenter for Channel 4 News Krishnan Guru-Murthy and The News Agents host Emily Maitlis. Contributions will also be made by former Tory minister Rory Stewart and former New Labour spokesman Alastair Campbell.