GB News should lose its licence, says ex-Sky News editor Adam Boulton

"Asked whether he would strip GB News of its licence, Boulton said: Yes, I would. I think Ofcom has failed in its duty as the regulator It seems to me that there have been clear violations of the due impartiality rules consistently from GB News. I think it's probably too late now, is unfortunately my conclusion, Boulton told the Beeb Watch podcast."

"But should GB News have been given the status of a news broadcaster alongside Sky and ITV and Channel 4 and the BBC? In my personal view, no. That's why we had a regulator. But I think the regulator has failed."

"His comments follow a series of high-profile complaints about the rightwing channel's coverage, including an interview with Donald Trump last year in which the US president was not challenged over claims about Britain, the climate crisis and Islam. Adam Boulton called for a ban on presenticians'. Photograph: Adrian Green/Persuasion Communications/PA"

"This week, Ofcom announced it was investigating a programme that featured a repeat of the interview. Boulton also called for a ban on what he called presenticians politicians who also work as TV presenters. GB News's lineup includes several figures from Reform UK. The party's leader, Nigel Farage, presents a programme on the channel and, through his private business, holds almost 500,000 shares in GB News's parent company, according to Companies House filings."

Adam Boulton said GB News should lose its broadcasting licence, accusing Ofcom of failing to protect impartial television news. He argued that GB News has consistently violated due impartiality rules and that revoking its rights may now be too late. He also said GB News should not have been granted news broadcaster status alongside major public and commercial channels. Boulton pointed to high-profile complaints about GB News coverage, including an interview with Donald Trump that he said was not challenged on claims about Britain, the climate crisis, and Islam. Ofcom announced it was investigating a programme that repeated the interview. He also called for banning politicians who work as TV presenters, noting GB News includes figures from Reform UK, including Nigel Farage.

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