Like it or loath it,GB Newsis a trailblazer.
Former PMBoris Johnsonwill join its presenting ranks as early as this month, Deadline hears.
It has also tested television rules to breaking point.
GB News presenter Nigel Farage interviews Donald Trump.GB News
Another 12 investigations are ongoing.
Watch on Deadline
This level of regulatory activity is unprecedented for a British-owned broadcaster in recent times.
Deadline understands that Ofcom is expected to make another set of rulings on GB News early this year.
Boris Johnson joins GB News as early as this month
Some think it is inconceivable that the channel will escape sanction.
The channels roster features sitting Conservative lawmakers including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Lee Anderson.
This determination is, in itself, disputed and we will return to it.
This distinction does not currently exist in the Broadcasting Code.
Instead, Ofcom sketched out its thinking in a blog last year.
The regulator has already made a relatively swift GB News ruling in this space.
The pre-recorded sit-down was clearly a current affairs show, Ofcom said.
Watch the moment below.
‘We’ve seen a constant witch-hunt of this man!
He argued that sanctions will be considered if more than one investigation is upheld.
Ofcom decided against punishing GB News over any of its five breaches last year.
GB News declined to comment on its compliance setup.
He pointed to the friction between freedom of speech and due impartiality.
I dont think thats evidence of a licensee ignoring the rules, a senior Ofcom source said.
So why is Ofcom taking time with its current inquiries?
The regulator must carry out its quasi-judicial process in which broadcasters are twice invited to argue their corner.
Established broadcasters, such as ITV and Channel 4, do not usually comment on Ofcom rulings.
Purvis put it more emphatically: Its hard to conclude that current regulation is fit for purpose.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, GB News agrees with this assessment.
They were designed for the [BBC]News at Ten.
Politicians as presenters was the first item on the agenda at two Ofcom content board meetings in 2023.
The work has beendelayed as Ofcom reaches rulings on GB News.
We will publish it in due course, a spokesperson said.
Our first priority is to conclude the live investigations.
We keep the code under constant review, said an insider.
We do not know where we will end up.
The regulators instinct is to be light touch and it cannot diverge from legislation that underpins the rules.
They also help to inform our approach to upholding broadcast standards.
Other broadcasters are wondering aloud if they have been misinterpreting Ofcoms rules for 20 years.
Now Im wondering, did I get it all wrong?
Are the rules actually way more flexible than I ever realized?
No, Dawes replied.
It is a testament to the stability, clarity, and standards in our regulatory framework.
Away from the furor over MPs hosting news shows, Ofcom has eight other investigations ongoing into GB News.
She wont be making the rulings herself, but will become the face of Ofcoms regulation of GB News.
We know the world likes our view.
