Former GB News anchor Mark Steyn is suing Ofcom after they confirmed a prior programme violated the rules.
The media watchdog claimed earlier today that the broadcast, which aired on October 4, 2022, contained an interview between Canadian host Steyn and guest Dr Naomi Wolf, who made’serious assertions’ concerning the Covid-19 vaccination.
Dr Naomi called its implementation a “premeditated crime” and referred to it as “mass murder.”
Ofcom stated that it received 422 complaints alleging that these statements were ‘dangerous’ and contained’misinformation’ that went ‘unopposed’.
It is the broadcaster’s second’significant infringement’ of the code, and as a result, Ofcom has requested that the broadcaster attend a meeting ‘to examine its approach to compliance’.
In reaction to the regulator’s decision, a representative for Steyn said: ‘Ofcom is stretching its legislative jurisdiction in ways that none of its previous bodies – the IBA, the Radio jurisdiction, and so on – have ever done. It has devolved into a kangaroo court, micromanaging UK media coverage of crucial parts of public policy in ways that undermine free and open dialogue in a country that was once a furnace of liberty.
‘I am already taking Ofcom to court over their previous decision, and we will add this to the charge sheet.’
The first breach occurred during an episode of his show that aired on April 21st, 2022.
In that episode, the host cited UK Health Security Agency data to claim that vaccines increased hospitalisation, infection, and mortality rates.
Steyn, 63, resigned from GB News in February in response to Ofcom’s actions.
He further claimed that he, not GB News, would be financially accountable for any prospective Ofcom sanctions.
He claimed: ‘I’m on the hook for Ofcom fines but I don’t have any say in our defence against an Ofcom complaint – that’s all done by GB News.’
The Canadian author added that, in the event of a fine, he would be the ‘one who has to pay the £40,000 fine or whatever it is.’
Source My Celebrity Life.