Fox News Violates British Regulations

The British Government’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) recently chastised Fox News and found it in violation of various regulations in that country aimed at preventing the media from deliberately spreading misinformation. Ofcom found that Fox News anchor John Gibson made “false statements by undermining facts.” In its report it stated:

“Fox News was unable to provide any substantial evidence to support the overall allegation that the BBC management had lied and the BBC had an anti-American obsession…Even taking into account that this was a ‘personal view’ item, the strength and number of allegations that John Gibson made against the BBC meant that Fox News should have offered the BBC an opportunity to respond…Fox News was therefore in breach of Sections 2.1 (respect for truth), 2.7 (opportunity to take part), and 3.5(b) (personal view programmes - opinions expressed must not rest upon false evidence) of the Programme Code.”
 
Ofcom is described as the official "regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services." The write-up on Fox was included in Ofcom's 6/14/04 report.