Michael Grade, the former chairman of Ofcom, has defended GB News amid ongoing debates over the channel’s editorial approach and regulatory treatment. Speaking after stepping down from his role at the media regulator in April and retaking the Conservative whip in the House of Lords, Grade suggested that other broadcasters are "embarrassed" by GB News because it covers issues that resonate with a sizable segment of the voting population.
Grade argued that GB News addresses topics such as immigration and Brexit with a focus he said is underrepresented by mainstream outlets like the BBC. "I honestly think they’re embarrassed by the fact that there is a news organisation that has a different news agenda to them, that speaks to the agenda of the majority," he stated, noting that polls show a significant portion of voters feel unheard by established broadcasters. He emphasized that the editorial choices GB News makes are no different in principle from those made by the BBC, Sky, or ITN, noting that all news programming involves selecting which stories to cover and how to frame them.
However, this perspective has drawn criticism from former Ofcom officials and media experts who argue that the regulator has not applied impartiality standards consistently to GB News. Chris Banatvala, Ofcom’s founding director of standards and a key figure in developing the regulator’s code of conduct, disputed Grade’s characterization of compliance with impartiality rules, suggesting that it requires more than a brief scripted disclaimer. Banatvala further contended that unlike the choice of editorial agenda, which is outside regulator control, the evidence indicates that Ofcom has failed to hold GB News to the same standards as other broadcasters.
GB News, for its part, maintains its position as Britain’s leading news channel and defends its journalistic integrity. The channel expressed surprise and concern over Ofcom’s delayed investigation into a program segment that repeated controversial statements by Donald Trump without challenge. GB News stated it “stands firmly by its journalism and editorial standards,” underscoring its view that its approach serves a public that feels neglected by the media establishment.
Academic perspectives add further context to the debate. Steven Barnett, a professor of communications at the University of Westminster, commented that Grade’s remarks appear to redefine the legal requirements of impartiality, noting that any change to the regulatory framework should be determined by Parliament. He expressed hope that Ofcom’s incoming leadership would adhere to existing impartiality rules and regulate GB News accordingly.
The discourse surrounding GB News reflects broader tensions in the UK media landscape over editorial diversity, regulatory oversight, and perceptions of bias, with competing views on how best to balance freedom of expression and journalistic standards.