GB News have broken their silence after they were fined following the broadcast regulator starting an investigation following a Q&A session with The Prime Minister.
Ofcom confirmed in February that the session “broke its broadcasting rules.” Rishi Sunak appeared on GB News to take questions from a studio of undecided voters for People’s Forum: The Prime Minister.
It has been confirmed that GB News have been imposed a £100,000 fine. Reacting to the news, GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos said: “The announcement by Ofcom to impose sanctions upon GB News in relation to the People’s Forum is a direct attack on free speech and journalism in the United Kingdom.
“We believe these sanctions are unnecessary, unfair and unlawful.
“The High Court has already granted GB News permission to bring a judicial review to challenge Ofcom’s decision that the Programme was in breach of due impartiality requirements.
“The sanction proposed by Ofcom is therefore still subject to that legal challenge. The plan to sanction GB News flies in the face of Ofcom’s duty to act fairly, lawfully and proportionately to safeguard free speech, particularly political speech and on matters of public interest.
“We have believed from the very start the People’s Forum was an important piece of public interest programming, and that appropriate steps were taken to ensure due impartiality and compliance with the Broadcasting Code.
“It was designed to allow members of the public to put their own questions directly to leading politicians. GB News chooses to be regulated and we understand our obligations under the Code.”
He concluded: “At the People’s Channel we will continue to fearlessly champion freedom; for our viewers, for our listeners, and for everyone in the United Kingdom. As we have all seen, this is needed more than ever.”
During the session in February, an audience member angrily raised issues about the Covid vaccine and put Rishi Sunak on the spot. The audience member, who identified himself as John Watt from Scotland, claimed that himself and others have suffered side effects from the Covid vaccine.
At one point he raised his voice and angrily gestured towards Mr Sunak. He ranted: “I’m one of the COVID vaccine-injured in this country. I want you to look me in my eyes and I want you to look at the pain, the trauma and the regret I have in my eyes.
“We’ve been left with no help at all. Not only am I in here with vaccine injuries, another man over there has been ruined by the COVID-19 vaccine. I know people who have lost legs, amputations, I know people with heart conditions like myself Rishi Sunak.”
