I do appreciate some people feel rather uneasy and worried about our media outlets being able to air views that are clearly not in line with their own beliefs or values or that they feel channels and shows these days are biased, inaccurate or politically driven. As someone who previously worked at the BBC and wider radio, I feel being impartial and balanced when presenting the news is absolutely vital and those I worked with felt the same and were wholly professional. It is essential viewers feel this programming is being approached with dedication, impartiality and integrity by all broadcasters, regardless of their political leanings, giving the public the chance to hear the facts, get the full picture and make up their own minds. We must also recognise the widening of output in podcasts, on U tube and other channels mean getting the facts, not opinions, is harder than ever.
I have been contacted by some constituents who do feel the Rusbridger report, which was led by a former Guardian editor and condemns GB news for aligning with a political party on immigration, net zero and cultural issues, citing frequent lapses in due impartiality, demonstrates that Ofcom is failing in its duty to enforce its broadcasting code. Watching that output, it would be difficult not to understand that sincere view that many hold.
Other constituents have expressed deep concerns about the BBC, citing recent incidents as evidence that it is not fulfilling its clear duty of due impartiality. For example, the BBC 'doctored' a speech by President Donald Trump and a leaked memo has shown that the BBC's Arabic Service boosted claims made by Hamas and had 'a desire always to believe the worst about Israel'. A 19-page memo on these issues and others, compiled by Michael Prescott, who until June was an independent adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee, and was sent to executives because of his “despair at inaction by the BBC executive when issues come to light” is now circulating in government departments.
The Telegraph also, concerningly reported Fran Unsworth, a former BBC News boss, saying,
‘There was lots and lots of bullying going on about all sorts of things: people didn’t want to hear from certain points of view… Impartiality only operates when you can look at evidence and facts and point to them as the basis of your reporting on this.’
You can read the full report here:
BBC News boss: I was driven out by trans activism
These are some examples, which I rather fear are only the tip of the iceberg, are widely held to be undermining the brand and reputation of the BBC here in the UK and around the world. The taxpayer licence fee can only be justified on the basis of impartiality and trust, and I do not believe that there can be any justification for this kind of deliberate manipulation and the spreading of misinformation from our national broadcaster.
While the resignations of the BBC’s Director-General and BBC News CEO underline the scale of the challenge facing the BBC, the issues go far beyond these individuals. The BBC absolutely must ensure that controversial subjects are treated with due accuracy and due impartiality in news or other content dealing with public policy or matters of political or industrial controversy, including on immigration, net zero and the gender critical position. The BBC’s Charter embeds the core principle of impartiality in the BBC’s overall mission and enshrines the principle of editorial independence for the BBC’s Director-General and it is bitterly disappointing that such a poor example has been set to newer broadcasters.
Public confidence in the licence fee and the BBC more widely depends greatly on the BBC actively restoring integrity and accountability, particularly in its news production and I hope that the new Director-General will act decisively and promptly to make this a priority. The BBC must deliver genuine reform to become a trusted, impartial global news brand again.
The Rt Hon Claire Coutinho MP, Shadow Equalities Minister has said,
“The BBC must reflect the whole country and deal in facts, not promote a contested world-view.”
I understand that GB News, on the other hand, which was launched in 2021, was created with the explicit intention of presenting news from different perspective, focusing on debate-led programs and aiming to stir discussion and engage audiences in unprecedented ways. It also covers news stories that traditional media like the BBC often overlook or as BBC whistle-blowers suggest, choose to ignore which many see as being a political choice.
I am certainly aware that many people do not agree with the content, perspective or tone of more right leaning media outlets like GB News and I agree that Ofcom, as the independent regulator, must have and use adequate powers to ensure that all broadcasters are adhering to the Broadcasting Code. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that Ofcom has the correct enforcement and investigatory tools. Speaking for myself, I am pleased to see different faces, voices and perspectives on this channel and have appeared on it myself too.
The Code includes rules to ensure that all broadcast news is duly accurate and impartial. Due impartiality here requires that an appropriately wide range of significant viewpoints on matters of major political controversy or public policy are represented and given due weight. As you may be aware, the Code also outlines the standards for broadcast content so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from harmful and/or offensive material. Any potential breaches are currently a matter for Ofcom to investigate. However, a Guardian article from the 14th of May 2026, reported that,
‘Ofcom rejected suggestions it had failed to regulate partial and misleading coverage, saying it was vital to maintain “freedom of expression” within the broadcasting rules.
'"We strongly reject the suggestion that Ofcom is unwilling or unable to enforce the broadcasting code,” a spokesperson said. “We apply our rules consistently and fairly to all broadcasters, and we take enforcement action where necessary.
Freedom of expression is something we guard fiercely in this country, and the bar for revocation of broadcast licences is rightly set very high and reserved for the most serious cases.”
The regulator added: “Our due impartiality rules are designed to ensure audiences are given a diverse range of perspectives so they can come to an informed view on matters of public interest."
I do believe more open, honest debate over the issues affecting our society and now being covered in our widening media has to be the way forward. We should not be shutting down long held, alternative or contested viewpoints or even dismissing facts and evidence that don’t sit well with particular ideological positions, whatever they may be. We should also recognise that the notions of ‘harm’, ‘hateful’ and ‘offensive’ need to be better interpreted and understood, and certainly used more carefully and wisely. It is clear they have been roundly weaponised in recent years, by some, to prevent a great many people from speaking up on issues, to deny discussion and debate or respect the right of people to listen to other viewpoints, preferring instead to keep vital information, challenges or experiences off the table which would be have been better aired thoroughly.
Those days, I genuinely hope, are behind us both in politics and in covering politics in the media and, as your MP, I will always support and advocate for proper media accountability as will my Party.
