Culture Secretary Criticizes BBC, Praises GB News Amid Ongoing Review

Government's mid-term review of the BBC includes increased oversight by Ofcom, potential changes to TV licence fee enforcement.

• Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has criticized the BBC for a lack of impartiality, while praising controversial broadcaster GB News for being balanced.
• The Government's review of the BBC includes claims of impartiality and funding, with Frazer suggesting she will significantly water-down the BBC's ability to enforce payment of the TV licence fee.
• Frazer defended GB News, claiming it offers balance across the spectrum, despite criticisms of Conservative MPs interviewing other Conservative MPs on the channel and numerous Ofcom investigations into the broadcaster.
• Downing Street has denied that the Government is pursuing an agenda against the BBC following a raft of reforms proposed as part of a mid-term review into the corporation.
• The reforms would give media regulator Ofcom more powers over BBC’s online services, meaning it could gain enforcement action over BBC News website articles it does not believe meet relevant broadcast standards.

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