Board of Deputies and MPs group condemn GB News over ‘highly concerning’ broadcasts
In their statement, the Board of Deputies refers to the Neil Oliver Live show adding 'some of those invited on to this show represent organisations that promote antisemitic conspiracy theories'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
The media regulator Ofcom has been urged to tackle the broadcast of conspiracy theories by the GB News channel that risked spreading ideas linked to antisemitism.
The Board of Deputies, along with the all-party parliamentary group against antisemitism, have both issued statements following a recent edition of the weekly GB News show hosted by controversial broadcaster Neil Oliver.
One of Oliver’s guests on his show last Saturday was William Keyte, who was introduced as a “constitutional expert”, but who is also a supporter of a campaign group called the New Chartist Movement.
Articles on the New Chartist website include one claiming the “corporate and banking Deep State, completely supported by the Zionist state of Israel” plans to take control of UK politics.
Another suggests that the “House of Rothschild” has a crucial role in world affairs.
Oliver had used last weekend’s show to highlight what he called a “silent war” by generations of politicians to take “total control of the people” and impose a “one-world government”.
In a statement to the Guardian newspaper, Keyte said:”“It seems a shame that rather than focus on the important issues I raised in the interview with Neil in which so many people appear to be interested, you seem to be embarking on a piece about antisemitism. I do not condone antisemitism, but nor do I support the use of the subject to detract from other important issues.”
But in their statement, the Board said:“It is highly concerning that GB News continues to air a show which embraces all manner of conspiracy theories. Somewhat inevitably, some of those invited on to this show represent organisations that promote antisemitic conspiracy theories. If the channel will not act, we expect that Ofcom will.”
Nicola Richards, the Conservative MP who co-chairs the all-party group against antisemitism, said: “Media diversity is incredibly important but not at the expense of professional standards. These developments should be of concern to GB News editors, owners, and producers and I hope they will be carefully reviewing them. With any public platform, there is a responsibility not to open the door to conspiratorial antisemitism or other misinformation.
“No doubt Ofcom will be keeping a close eye on developments at GB News but let’s hope that the channel will get its house in order.”
Concerns about GB News output have also focused on its repeated broadcast of conspiracy theories around Covid.
Ofcom is already looking into two complaints about another GB News show, hosted by Mark Steyn, who had cast doubt on the safety of vaccines.
Steyn quit the channel in a row over who is liable for the payment of any fine.
Steyn, who has cast doubt on the safety of Covid vaccines.
Other presenters on the channel including the journalist Dan Wootton have frequently complained about “globalist” power, but have denied that the term is used to refer to Jews.
A GB News spokesperson said: “GB News abhors racism and hate in all its forms and would never allow it on the channel.”
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