Ofcom has received almost 2,000 complaints in relation to a Good Morning Britain interview conducted by Piers Morgan featuring Helen Whately the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, Mr Morgan was accused by some of attempting to bully the Minister.
On Wednesday last week Piers ripped into Ms Whately she attempted to defend why so few people in care homes have been tested so far amid reports thousands of patients have already died.
TV watchdog Ofcom confirmed they had received a total of 1,910 complaints, all of these complaints lodged are over the interview.
The interview that caused much controversy saw Morgan accuse the Minister of “utter nonsense” over her claims that 19 NHS workers had died on the frontlines, saying that the figure reported in the press is much higher claiming official figures have a ten-day lag.
The Conservative MP replied: “I don’t get my data from newspapers, I have to get it from the NHS and our scientists”.
Some viewers complained that Piers was “bullying” her, however, others backed Morgan saying he was doing his job and holding the minister “to account” over the Governments response to the pandemic.
Ofcom has not yet confirmed or denied if they will be investigating the complaints however claims they are assessing them against their regulations.
The regulator said in a statement: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Earlier this month ITV was warned over Piers and his “combative presenting” after GMB avoided an Ofcom investigation, instead, the broadcaster was given a slap on the wrist and warned about repeating that kind of action.
An Ofcom spokesman said: “We remind ITV that there are compliance risks in relying on a ‘combative dynamic’ between presenters as a way to provide challenge and context for the broadcast of content which may cause offence.
“This approach can provide significant context, as in this case. However, depending on the particular circumstances, this may not always provide sufficient context to comply with the code.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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