14-03-2023, 03:21 PM
(14-03-2023, 02:25 PM)Jon Wrote: One thing that will be interesting is, assuming they get complaints if Ofcom are interested in rebuking GB News for this. I seem to remember Nigel Farage making comments about a bisexual superman. Why Farage was bothered about something from the arts not aimed at him, I’ve no idea. It wasn’t even the Clark Kent superman character either. But I don’t think there was any comeback from that. It’s almost like there is a reluctance for Ofcom to intervene when it comes to GB News. Even the recent time they were found in breach of rules Ofcom’s statement felt like a massive defence of GB News wider output and also to appease those who want no regulation.Ofcom regulation is a quasi judicial process. It's based on defined and published rules, and published guidelines on how those rules apply; and how competing interests are judged
“This is the first breach of our broadcasting rules recorded against GB News since it launched in June 2021. Complaints received about the channel to date total 3,432, representing 3% of all broadcast complaints made to us during this period. Of these 1,665 related to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
It's not an emotional process with things like 'being interested in' doing something or 'reluctance' or 'defence' its a fairly straightforward flow chart of tests to see what requires intervention , then more tests against higher level laws such as the european human rights act.
Ofom have to consider - at all times- the highest legal test that applies to it:
Article 11 - Freedom of expression and information
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers.
2. The freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected.
The bar to interface in a broadcast is very high.
So the question: does a 'joke' about being at home with pride flags and wokery in Brighton meet a serious harm or offence test, then apply the freedom of expression test after that decision, and balance a low level regulatory code (that's not explicitly been passed in parliament, only the requirement to have a code was) with highest leval legal requirement on freedom of expression.
Ita not favoritism, political favour or anything else. It's simply the law (that was written and agreed by a Labour government)