GB News Co-Founder Claims Rivals Seek to "Punish" Channel
Andrew Cole, GB News co-founder, defends the channel against Ofcom investigations, suggesting mainstream broadcasters are pressuring the regulator. He maintains GB News fills a market gap despite controversies.
Andrew Cole, co-founder of GB News, has asserted that mainstream broadcasters are attempting to "punish" the channel through regulatory pressure. This claim comes amidst ongoing scrutiny from Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, which has conducted over 20 investigations into GB News since its launch in June 2021.
Cole, who resigned from GB News in 2022, expressed his belief that Ofcom has been "relatively fair" despite facing pressure from established broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. He stated:
"The unbelievable, unrelenting drive from the rest of the market to punish GB News because they obviously dislike them has been so profound that I think actually Ofcom has been very restrained."
Ofcom's investigations have covered various issues, including impartiality concerns and the use of politicians as presenters. In May 2024, the regulator found GB News in breach of impartiality rules during a program featuring then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. This ruling led to Ofcom considering sanctions against the broadcaster for "serious and repeated breach" of regulations.
GB News has responded to these rulings with a legal challenge, accusing Ofcom of infringing on free speech. This conflict highlights the tension between the channel's approach to news presentation and the UK's strict broadcasting regulations, which prioritize impartiality and accuracy.
Despite the controversies, Cole maintains that GB News has successfully identified a market gap for US-style opinionated programming in the UK. He cited the channel's coverage of recent riots as an example of providing an "alternative perspective" to traditional media outlets.
However, Cole's support for GB News contrasts sharply with the views of Andrew Neil, the channel's former chairman. Neil, who departed just three months after the launch, criticized GB News in early 2024, describing it as "an outlet for bizarre conspiracy theories" at "the nutty end of politics."
The ongoing debate surrounding GB News reflects broader discussions about media impartiality, free speech, and the evolving landscape of news broadcasting in the UK. As the channel continues to challenge traditional norms, it remains a subject of both controversy and support, highlighting the complex relationship between media, regulation, and public discourse in the modern era.
