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Why is gb tv new so biased
Executive summary
Questions about GB News’s bias reflect sustained scrutiny: independent trackers and critics label GB News as right‑leaning and question its fact‑checking and transparency, while audience figures show it has grown but still trails mainstream reach (MBFC labels it right‑biased; Reuters Institute viewership data cited by secondary sources) [1] [2]. Allegations about bias at UK broadcasters more broadly have roiled the sector after the BBC editing controversy, which has sharpened partisan debates about media impartiality and board influence [3] [4].
1. Why people call GB News “biased” — the critics’ case
Critics point to a clear right‑of‑centre editorial slant, repeated fact‑check problems, and controversies over misinformation and lack of transparency in ownership or practices; Media Bias/Fact Check and commentary pieces catalogue those concerns and label GB News right‑leaning and “questionable” on reliability [1] [2]. Journalists and media analysts say GB News’s roster of high‑profile right‑leaning presenters and its editorial choices contribute to perceptions it functions more as a partisan platform than a neutral news service [2].
2. What defenders and supporters say about GB News
Supporters argue GB News fills a market gap for viewers who feel mainstream broadcasters under‑represent conservative or populist viewpoints; the channel’s growing daily audience in 2025 is cited as evidence of demand for an alternative voice [2]. Proponents also say branding as opinion‑driven is legitimate media plurality rather than an ethical failing — an argument rooted in media market competition rather than claims of factual malfeasance [2].
3. Independent metrics and trust data — mixed signals
Independent metrics show GB News’s audience increased in parts of 2025 (average daily viewers cited), yet trust measures remain low: the outlet had one of the lowest net trust scores among UK broadcasters in referenced datasets [2]. That split — rising viewers but low trust and negative independent assessments — helps explain why accusations of bias stick even as the channel gains reach [2].
4. How bias allegations fit into the wider UK media crisis
The BBC’s high‑profile editorial crisis over an edited Trump speech and leaked internal memos about “systemic bias” has intensified public debate about bias across UK broadcasters; some board members and external critics have pushed claims of institutional political slant, which fuels partisan narratives that GB News and others trade on [3] [4]. The BBC episode has made accusations of bias a headline political issue, benefiting outlets that position themselves as corrective voices to perceived mainstream failures [5] [6].
5. The role of fact‑checking and regulatory scrutiny
Commentators highlight GB News has faced specific criticism for failed fact‑checks and spreading questionable claims, which regulatory and watchdog assessments use when labeling an outlet’s reliability [1] [2]. That kind of record strengthens the “biased” label because errors and lax standards are seen as evidence of editorial prioritisation of partisan narratives over accuracy [1] [2].
6. Commercial and editorial incentives that can produce slant
Media outlets tailor content to grow audiences and revenues; GB News’s strategy — combining news with outspoken opinion and personalities — creates incentives to amplify polarising takes that attract loyal viewers, a commercial logic critics call an echo chamber for right‑wing populist rhetoric [2]. That dynamic is not unique to GB News but is important context: format, target audience and ownership influence editorial direction [2].
7. What to watch next — verification and plurality
Monitor independent fact‑checks, regulator findings and hard reach/trust metrics for stronger evidence of systemic practices versus single incidents: several sources recommend distinguishing opinion programming from factual reporting and comparing patterns over time [1] [2]. The broader political fight over public broadcasting standards after the BBC controversy will continue to shape how audiences and politicians label rivals like GB News [3] [4].
Limitations and final note
Available sources document the criticisms, audience data and independent labels described above but do not provide an exhaustive audit of every GB News programme or internal editorial policy; detailed proprietary metrics or internal documents are not in the provided reporting (not found in current reporting). The evidence in these sources consistently frames GB News as right‑leaning with questioned reliability, while proponents frame it as a necessary corrective to mainstream media [1] [2].