On The
Ground

Josiah Mortimer

Switched Offcom

Ofcom is a body that could be described as toothless. Except for the fact that it does have teeth – in the form of legal enforcement powers – but simply chooses not to bite.

The media regulator recently announced it had ‘resolved’ the investigation into GB News relating to content in which comedian Josh Howie equated the LGBTQ+ community with paedophilia.

Ofcom decided that, though GB News did breach the rules, Howie’s quarter-hearted ‘apology’ was sufficient context for the broadcaster to avoid punishment, including any fine.

It casts more doubt on Ofcom’s willingness to hold GB News properly to account.