Governance

UK: Ofcom Drops Political TV Cases After GB News Court Victory

MAR 18 2025·Updated NOV 10 2025

Story

Above: Jacob Rees-Mogg in the studio at GB News during his new show Jacob Rees-Mogg's State of The Nation on Feb. 27, 2023. Image credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images

The Facts

Following a High Court ruling that found Ofcom had unlawfully sanctioned Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg's GB News show, the media regulator has withdrawn all remaining investigations into politicians presenting TV and radio programs across multiple broadcasters.
Press Gazette
www.ofcom.org.uk
Guido Fawkes
The High Court determined that Ofcom had misapplied its Broadcasting Code by conflating news programs with current affairs programs, leading to the regulator dropping investigations into shows hosted by Nigel Farage, David Lammy, Jake Berry, and others.
Press Gazette
Judiciary
A total of 11 cases against GB News and other UK broadcasters have been dropped since the decision, including five previous breach decisions against GB News programs hosted by Conservative MPs Esther McVey and Philip Davies.
Press Gazette
GB News
The judicial review victory centered on Ofcom's interpretation of rules prohibiting politicians from presenting news programs, with the court clarifying that this restriction applies specifically to news programs rather than current affairs shows.
Judiciary
Ofcom has announced it will review and consult on proposed changes to the Broadcasting Code to provide clearer guidance on restrictions regarding politicians presenting news in any type of program.
www.ofcom.org.uk
While dropping these cases, Ofcom has simultaneously launched a new investigation into GB News over comments made about the LGBT community during an episode of "Headliners" which received over 70,000 complaints.
Press Gazette
BBC News

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The Broadcasting Code exists to ensure due impartiality in news coverage. While the High Court may have ruled in GB News' favor, this is only because of a regulatory loophole surrounding "news" versus "current affairs." Ofcom must now look to closing this loophole — ensuring TV and radio services can no longer manipulate the rules in order to benefit their ideological preferences.

www.ofcom.org.uk

Guardian

Establishment-critical narrative

The regulatory overreach by Ofcom threatened fundamental British values of free speech. It is no surprise that Ofcom, full of former state-funded ITV and BBC cronies, sought to silence honest and critical broadcasting voices. The High Court ruling vindicates editorial decision-making and exposes a coordinated campaign by establishment pressure groups trying to undermine democratic discourse.

GB News

Express.co.uk