Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, is under scrutiny after it declined to investigate complaints about a controversial interview with former US President Donald Trump on GB News. Critics are accusing the regulator of neglecting its duty to ensure impartial television coverage, especially after Trump made several unchallenged claims, including the assertion that human-induced climate change is a "hoax" and the existence of no-go areas in London under 'sharia law'. The interview aired last November and has raised alarms among media watchdogs who argue that such misinformation can significantly influence public perception and policy.

During the interview, which was hosted by Bev Turner, many of Trump’s assertions went unchallenged, and the conversational style appeared to lend credibility to these falsehoods. Ofcom received 32 complaints regarding the interview's content, arguing that Trump's statements were misleading. Despite admitting that the president’s views were not sufficiently scrutinized during the broadcast, Ofcom justified its decision to refrain from a formal investigation by stating that alternative viewpoints were presented in a later segment of the programming, thus, fulfilling their regulatory obligations.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the role of media regulators in ensuring accuracy and fairness in broadcast journalism. With the rise of partisan news outlets and the dissemination of misinformation, public trust in regulatory bodies like Ofcom may wane, further complicating efforts to maintain a balanced media landscape. The decision not to act against these misleading claims could set a precedent for future interactions between media regulators and political figures, amplifying fears about the accountability of media platforms in the UK.