Ofcom will conduct research into politicians presenting TV shows

Ofcom has announced it is set to conduct audience research into politicians presenting TV shows.

There has been a stark increase in recent years of sitting MP's presenting shows on networks such as GB News and TalkTV.

Announcing the research, Ofcom said: "Viewers and listeners are at the centre of what we do. To ensure our broadcasting rules remain relevant and effective, it's important for us to understand first-hand what people think and feel about the TV and radio content they consume and how perspectives might change over time."

They added: "The rules around politicians presenting programmes were first introduced in 2005. Given the rise in the number of current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians and recent public interest in this issue, we are conducting research to gauge current audience attitudes towards these programmes."

The announcement is not a review into changing the rules but a research undertaking to see if rules do need to be updated given the changing UK news media landscape that has seen two networks begin broadcasting in the last two years.

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A number of right wing MP's currently host shows on GB News including Jacob Rees-Mogg, Esther McVey and Phillip Davies.

Rupert Murdoch's TalkTV also features shows from Nadine Dorries and Richard Tice. Dorries' interview with Boris Johnson was much criticised by viewers and Ofcom received 52 complaints relating to things she said during the show.

LBC also features several hosts who are also active politicians including Labour frontbencher David Lammy with the party's deputy leader Angela Rayner also fronting shows on occassion.

Dan Wootton, who is a presenter for GB News, has hit out at the potential for reform, tweeting: "Why have you never had a problem when, for years, LBC allows the likes of David Lammy and Angela Rayner to host regular shows? I guess it doesn’t matter when they’re Labour front benchers. Yet another example of bias from the GB News-hating British Bashing Corporation."

Ofcom's rules currently state that an MP cannot serve as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter on a news programme but they are allowed to host current affairs shows.

Ofcom currently classes a news programme as featuring a presenter speaking directly to the audience, a running list of stories, the use of reporters and correspondents and a mix of video items.

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