“Our policies provide stringent safeguards.”

As three separate investigations into politicians doubling as newsreaders continue, Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Britain’s media regulator Ofcom, has clarified the body’s position on the matter.

In an article originally published in The Telegraph on Tuesday and then on Ofcom’s website on Tuesday, Dawes wrote: “The Broadcasting Code makes it clear that acting politicians cannot be a newsreader, interviewer or reporter on any program information, unless there is an exceptional editorial justification. In these exceptional cases, their political affiliation should be made clear to the audience. News programs typically have newsreaders speaking directly to the audience and may include reporting packages or live coverage with a mix of video and reporting.”

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Dawes added that apart from news programs such as current affairs programmes, which typically feature more in-depth discussions, analysis, interviews and longer video reports, there is no Ofcom rule that prohibits an incumbent politician or political candidate from being a host – provided they are not running in current or upcoming elections.

“For example, during election season we make clear that candidates may not present any agenda,” Dawes wrote.

Dawes said: “Outside of news programming, our policies have always allowed presenters to express their views on controversial political issues on air, as long as they reflect other viewpoints. However, one area that has sparked intense debate recently – and which some argue stretches the principle of due impartiality to its limits – is the rise of the politician as presenter. Today, it is not unusual for figures from across the political spectrum to appear on listeners’ telephone calls on the radio or on panel and interview programs on television. However, our policies provide strict safeguards.”

Ofcom’s principles on fairness respect broadcasters’ freedom to make editorial and creative choices and the rights of viewers and listeners to receive a range of information and ideas, including controversial opinions that challenge the mainstream or status quo, Dawes wrote.

“But despite their importance, our principles of due impartiality are sometimes misunderstood. A common misconception is that proper impartiality means ‘neutrality’. Or that it is a mathematical construction according to which all sides of a debate must be given equal airtime. Not true. This little word ‘due’ is extremely important. It means ‘appropriate or appropriate to the subject and nature of the program’. Therefore, when applying our policies, we consider a number of contextual factors, including the nature of the topic, the type of program and channel, and the likely expectations of the audience,” Dawes wrote.

Three ongoing Ofcom investigations into broadcasting standards concern Rupert Murdoch’s GB News channel and TalkTV, and involve Conservative MPs Esther McVey, Philip Davies and Jacob Rees-Mogg, Alba leader and former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, and Reform UK leader Richard Tice.

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