Conservative politicians MAY present current affairs TV shows, Ofcom Rules, after opposition MPs complained about broadcasts by Nadine Dorries, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson.
Ofcom has said that Conservative politicians can host current affairs TV shows after opposition MPs complained about the likes of Nadine Dorries, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson fronting their own shows.
Last week, when the head of the media regulator, Dame Melanie Dawes, appeared before a parliamentary committee, Labor and SNP MPs raised concerns about the presentation of Conservative programs on GB News and TalkTV.
But yesterday, Kevin Bakhurst, director of the regulator’s group for streaming and online content, wrote an article for the Ofcom website explaining the rules governing politicians hosting TV shows.
He wrote: ‘In general, serving politicians cannot be newsreaders, interviewers or reporters on any news programme.
‘However, they are allowed to present other types of shows, including current affairs.
Ofcom has said that conservative politicians can present current affairs television shows. Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has her own space on TalkTV
‘Sometimes those shows can be on channels that also carry news; what matters here is the format of the particular program.’ He added that broadcasters “should have the freedom to make editorial and creative decisions.”
These TV shows are believed to be hosted by these MPs because they are considered current affairs shows and not news shows.
But the programs still have to maintain due impartiality.
SNP MP John Nicholson last week pointed to presenters Esther McVey and Philip Davies, both Conservative MPs, who interviewed Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on their GB News programme.
Nicholson described it as a “blatant breach of Ofcom rules”, while Labor MP Clive Efford said attempts by these programs to strike a balance could be hit as left-wing politicians are likely to boycott them.
Jacob Rees-Mogg in the GB News studio during his new Jacob Rees-Mogg State of the Nation show
Lee Anderson, MP for Ashfield, is the latest Tory MP to have his own show on GB News
Kevin Brennan, a Labor MP, said of GB News and TalkTV: “Do they offer a diverse point of view to the public?”
Ofcom is currently assessing complaints it received about the 11 March edition of Saturday Morning with Esther and Philip on GB News.
There were 26 complaints about politicians acting as presenters.
