09 May 2023 , 11:09
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Ofcom has found GB News' Mark Steyn programme in breach of its broadcasting rules after complaints were made about an anti-vaccine interview.
During the programme, which aired on October 4, 2022, the presenter discussed the Covid-19 vaccine with guest Dr Naomi Wolf.
Dr Wolf, who is a doctor of philosophy due to a thesis in English Literature, made claims about the vaccine and said the rollout amounted to "mass murder" and was comparable to the actions of "doctors in pre-Nazi Germany."
Ofcom received 422 complaints about the comments, with people saying it was "dangerous" and included "misinformation" that went "unopposed".
They found GB News to be in breach of the section and stated that, although broadcasters are free to transmit programmes that include controversial and challenging views – including about Covid-19 vaccines or conspiracy theories – their broadcasting code requires them to "ensure that its audience is adequately protected".
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Dr Naomi Wolf likened Covid-19 vaccine to 'mass murder' (GB News)"Our investigation concluded that GB News fell short of this requirement by allowing Naomi Wolf to promote a serious conspiracy theory without challenge or context – for example through other contributions in the programme or by the presenter, who appeared to support many of her comments," Ofcom said.
"There was also no scrutiny of the evidence she claimed to hold to support her claims."
Ofcom said they were concerned about her 'significant and alarming claim' that "mass murder" was taking place through the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccinations.
As it was the second significant breach of their Code, Ofcom asked GB News to attend a meeting with them to discuss its 'approach to compliance'.
She also compared it to the actions of 'doctors in pre-Nazi Germany' (GB News)During the programme, Dr Wolf said: "I’m not a conspiracy theorist, I’m a journalist," before adding later: "I believe [the mRNA vaccines] are bio-weapons because they are literally sterilising people, they are poisoning breast milk."
GB News released a statement following the Ofcom investigation and said that "accept" their findings.
"Mr Steyn last appeared on the channel five months ago," they said. "GB News chose to be an Ofcom-regulated channel and we are proud to play our part in bringing a wider range of opinion to Britain’s media landscape.
"We take Ofcom compliance seriously and we also take freedom of speech seriously. The balance between these two is not always clear cut and presents vital issues for our democracy."
It was announced that GB News broke Ofcom rules for the first time earlier this year.
Ofcom found GB News to be in breach of its rules for the second time (GB News)In March, Ofcom confirmed the regulatory body had found the Mark Steyn programme, which aired on GB News on April 21, 2022, in breach of broadcasting rules.
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Ofcom explained the programme "incorrectly claimed that official UKHSA data provided definitive evidence of a causal link between receiving a third Covid-19 vaccine and higher infection, hospitalisation and death rates".
They added that it was a problem because the way in which the data was being presented "did not take account of the significant differences in age or health of people in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups studied".
Since March 2020, the broadcasting regulator has received over 26,000 complaints about TV and radio coverage relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mirror have contacted GB News for comment.