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CultureActive · 35h

Ofcom investigates GB News after guest Caroline Farrow linked Pride to paedophilia

A record 12,000+ complaints followed remarks on Alex Armstrong Tonight, prompting the regulator to open a broadcasting standards probe.

12 items41 engagement0 comments Google NewsMastodonPress
Ofcom investigates GB News after guest Caroline Farrow linked Pride to paedophilia
theguardian.com

Conversation activity · last 36 hours peak 3/30m

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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 12 items across 3 sources · 2h ago. Quotes are verbatim.

Ofcom has launched an investigation into GB News over a 5 July broadcast of Alex Armstrong Tonight in which guest Caroline Farrow, a campaigner for CitizenGO, said Pride had come to celebrate bestiality and 'minor-attracted people' — paedophiles. The episode drew more than 12,000 complaints, a record for the channel, plus a public letter from Green party figures and Drag Race star Bimini, and GB News has previously been sanctioned by Ofcom for similar remarks.

  • Ofcom is investigating GB News over a 5 July broadcast in which guest Caroline Farrow linked Pride to bestiality and paedophilia.
  • The segment drew a record 12,000+ complaints to Ofcom for a GB News show, plus a separate complaint push involving the Good Law Project and around 15,000 members of the public.
  • Host Alex Armstrong disputed the claim on air and later condemned it as an 'age-old gay trope'; GB News says the views were the guest's own.
  • GB News was previously found by Ofcom to have breached the broadcasting code over similar remarks by presenter Josh Howie, though no sanctions were imposed.

How it unfolded

  1. Report Second Ofcom probe follows Good Law Project complaint

    Coverage notes Ofcom has opened investigations into anti-LGBTQ+ content on GB News following complaints from the Good Law Project and roughly 15,000 members of the public.

  2. Event Ofcom confirms investigation into GB News

    Ofcom told the Guardian it is investigating the broadcast for potential breaches of broadcasting standards over whether offensive material was justified by context.

  3. Reaction Green deputy leader Millward welcomes the probe

    Rachel Millward said the suggestion gay people threaten children is baseless and that GB News, as a regulated broadcaster, should not spread 'hateful lies' about a marginalised group.

    “The suggestion that gay people are somehow a particular threat to children is baseless, irresponsible and deeply harmful.”

    Rachel Millward · Mastodon ↗
  4. 5 weeks quiet
  5. Reaction Polanski and Bimini sign open letter to Ofcom

    Green party leader Zack Polanski and Drag Race UK star Bimini signed an open letter calling on Ofcom to act on the 'dangerous' disinformation, and the episode was later removed from YouTube.

  6. Reaction Armstrong condemns the remarks in a later episode

    Armstrong used a subsequent show to reject the comments as an 'age-old gay trope' used to demonise gay people.

    “Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that's been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people.”

    Alex Armstrong · Mastodon ↗
  7. Reaction Social media campaign drives complaints to Ofcom

    A campaign calling on people to lodge complaints followed the broadcast, ultimately generating over 12,000 complaints, a record for a GB News show.

  8. Event Farrow links Pride to paedophilia on GB News

    On Alex Armstrong Tonight, guest Caroline Farrow said Pride had become about celebrating 'bizarre and unhealthy kinks' including 'minor attracted people... Paedophiles', while fellow guest Mathew Hulbert pushed back on air.

    “The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights... even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.”

    Caroline Farrow · Mastodon ↗
  9. Reaction Host Armstrong challenges the claim live on air

    Presenter Alex Armstrong, who is gay, disputed Farrow's characterisation of Pride during the same segment.

    “I don't think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I'm sure there are nefarious people.”

    Alex Armstrong · Mastodon ↗

What people are saying verbatim

“The problem is that Pride is not about gay rights. It has become about celebrating every single sexuality that isn't heterosexuality, including some very bizarre and unhealthy kinks and quirks, you know, like furries and bestiality and even minor attracted, they call themselves, minor attracted people. Paedophiles.”

Caroline Farrow, GB News guest, CitizenGO campaigns manager · PinkNews ↗ · Jul 4

“I don't think it was full of paedophiles and everything, I'm sure there are nefarious people.”

Alex Armstrong, Host, Alex Armstrong Tonight · PinkNews ↗ · Jul 4

“Comments made by guests last weekend conflated gay pride with the celebration of paedophilia. This is an age-old gay trope that's been used over a number of years to demonise and slander gay people.”

Alex Armstrong, Host, Alex Armstrong Tonight · PinkNews ↗ · Jul 7

“These comments were expressed within a live debate by a contributor. They were her own views, and do not reflect the views or editorial position of GB News.”

GB News, Broadcaster statement · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 9

“The suggestion that gay people are somehow a particular threat to children is baseless, irresponsible and deeply harmful.”

Rachel Millward, Green party deputy leader · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 9

“Zack was right to complain about it at the time.”

Rachel Millward, Green party deputy leader · The Guardian ↗ · Aug 9