19-02-2024, 04:48 PM
Probably Ofcoms most ludicrous decision in a long time, and indicates a worrying politicisation of what should be an impartial regulator.
Set aside pro/anti GB News views for a second.
Effectively Ofcom is opening the door to saying that a public audince isn't sufficient to convey different view's on matters of public controversy, and they require filtering through a partisan efectively 'approved' lens of a rival professional political activists/commentators must appear instead to deliver 'balance'
It's a crazy position. The public is the ultimate arbiter, political partys are (or should be) just proxy to their views.
It also suggests that non participation of a major figure in programming effectively vetoes view's of a rival figure from being communicated on a channel. So that rules out leadership debates within a single party; phone ins with a Mayor or national leader without prior agreement to participate on alternative shows for political rivals
Ofcom have really created a minefield for themselves and every broadcaster
Set aside pro/anti GB News views for a second.
Effectively Ofcom is opening the door to saying that a public audince isn't sufficient to convey different view's on matters of public controversy, and they require filtering through a partisan efectively 'approved' lens of a rival professional political activists/commentators must appear instead to deliver 'balance'
It's a crazy position. The public is the ultimate arbiter, political partys are (or should be) just proxy to their views.
It also suggests that non participation of a major figure in programming effectively vetoes view's of a rival figure from being communicated on a channel. So that rules out leadership debates within a single party; phone ins with a Mayor or national leader without prior agreement to participate on alternative shows for political rivals
Ofcom have really created a minefield for themselves and every broadcaster