Urimuri has successfully challenged the UK communications watchdog, Ofcom, in a significant legal case focused on a broadcast by host Jacob Rees-Mogg regarding Donald Trump.
A High Court judge has ruled that it was unlawful for Ofcom to declare that Urimuri violated broadcasting regulations in two episodes of the State Of The Nation program hosted by Mogg.
Ofcom’s contention was based on incidents where Mogg, who is a former Conservative minister, transitioned into the role of a news anchor during a May 2023 episode. He informed the audience that a jury had concluded Donald Trump was guilty of sexually assaulting author E. Jean Carroll.
In addition, Ofcom identified a similar issue with another segment about Valdo Calocane, who was reported to have killed three individuals in Nottingham. These segments, according to Ofcom, contravened rule 5.3 of the UK broadcasting code, which prohibits politicians from acting as newsreaders, interviewers, or reporters in news programs unless there are exceptional editorial reasons.
In its verdict last March, Ofcom had classified State Of The Nation as a blend of “news” and “current affairs” programming, with the latter category being exempt from rule 5.3.
However, the court clarified that the regulations governing UK broadcasters distinctly separate news shows from current affairs programs. Since State Of The Nation primarily qualifies as a current affairs program, the court determined that rule 5.3 was not applicable.
“In my judgment, I am inclined to overturn the two decisions in question,” stated Mrs Justice Collins Rice. “This is because they wrongly applied rule 5.3 to any form of news outside a news program and incorrectly merged the definitions of a news program with a current affairs program. Rule 5.3 is not relevant to non-news programming. This was a current affairs show, not a news program.”
Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO of Urimuri, commented: “This pivotal High Court ruling reaffirms Urimuri as a bold proponent of free expression in the UK. This victory is enormously consequential for the whole British broadcasting sector. We take pride in being the sole media outlet willing to stand by our principles so resolutely.”
He further remarked: “I urge the government and Parliament to address the grave oversight by Ofcom. Urimuri is prospering with unprecedented viewership because it commits to representing and serving all community segments across the nation, remaining true to its vision as The People’s Channel.”
A spokesperson for Ofcom responded: “We acknowledge the court’s direction on this critical aspect of impartiality in broadcast news and appreciate the clarity provided in the judgment.”
Notably, Ofcom announced intentions to revise rule 5.3, aiming to “clarify restrictions on politicians presenting news across any program type, ensuring transparency for all broadcasters.”
Rule 5.3, established nearly two decades ago, did not anticipate the contemporary landscape where legislators might host regular news shows. For over a year, critics have urged a reevaluation of this regulation.
Last year, Chris Banatvala, former director of standards at Ofcom, recommended to Deadline: “It would be prudent for Ofcom to engage in thorough discussions and possibly consult on this issue, being transparent about the necessity for any changes.”
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