OFCOM has launched a new broadcast standards investigation into episodes of Jacob Rees-Mogg’s GB News show and TalkTV presented by Alex Salmond.
The first investigation will look at whether an episode of GB News programme State Of The Nation broke rules after Rees-Mogg covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving Donald Trump.
The media watchdog has said it received 40 complaints objecting to the MP for North East Somerset acting as a newsreader during his State Of The Nation show on May 9 as politicians are prevented from this role unless it is “editorially justified”.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules, which prevent politicians from acting as newsreaders, unless exceptionally, it is editorially justified.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of TalkTV’s Richard Tice presented by Salmond on April 2.
Ofcom has said it received two complaints regarding the impartiality of the programme, specifically in relation to a discussion on whether the SNP was “holding back the course of independence”.
A spokesperson said: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules requiring news and current affairs to be presented with due impartiality.”
The media regulator added that it is still investigating an edition of GB News’ Saturday Morning With Esther And Philip broadcast on March 11 which stars the husband-and-wife duo (Esther McVey and Philip Davies) who are both serving MPs.
The Ofcom rules surrounding politicians presenting programmes were first introduced in 2005.
The media watchdog has said that it is conducting new research to “gauge current audience attitudes” into current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians given the rise in the format.
This report will be carried out by an research agency and Ofcom aims to publish the findings later this year.
