British TV channel fined over 119,000 euros for uncritical broadcast with Sunak

london - British television channel GB News fined for a broadcast with then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of the elections that lacked critical questioning and response to Labour's comments.

British television channel GB News has been fined for a broadcast featuring then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the run-up to the elections. The Conservative Sunak was a guest in a program in February where the audience could ask questions. While some audience members were critical, there was little follow-up questioning. Critical comments by Sunak about Labour, the main opponent of the Conservative Party, also went unanswered, the regulator ruled.

The fine is high due to the 'seriousness and the recurring nature of the violation' by the channel, Ofcom said. GB News is also required to broadcast a statement from the regulator. The channel is challenging the ruling. CEO Angelos Frangopoulos has called it a 'direct attack on freedom of speech and journalism in the UK'.

GB News describes itself as an independent news channel but leans to the right politically. Prominent Brexit supporters Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg, for example, have their own prime time opinion programs on the channel.