GB News is being investigated over a campaign it has launched urging the Government to introduce laws to “protect the status of cash”.
The media watchdog confirmed on Friday that it would be looking at the channel’s Don’t Kill Cash petition after a complaint. It encourages viewers to sign a petition, which says: “I call on the Government to introduce legislation to protect the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted means of payment in the UK until at least 2050.”
Ofcom said under its rules all broadcasters are excluded from expressing views on “political and industrial controversy or current public policy”.
Ofcom says that those rules do not apply to presenters or guests, but the organisation itself and people with editorial responsibility for the service, the watchdog also said. The watchdog added: “Our investigation does not seek to question the merits of the campaign itself.”
The channel, launched two years ago, also claimed that “people who rely on cash are increasingly being left behind by the relentless march of technology” and “more and more shops, cafes and pubs are choosing to only accept card payments”.
Its campaign has already attracted more than 170,000 signatures, according to the GB News website. GB News has been contacted for comment.
