Update: Actor turned right-wing political activist Laurence Fox’s misogynistic rant on episode of “Dan Wootton Tonight” on U.K. channel Gb News has fallen afoul of media regulator Ofcom.
Comments made during the program by Fox targeting female political journalist, Ava Evans, prompted 8,867 complaints to Ofcom with viewers expressing concerns that his remarks were sexist, misogynistic and offensive.
Ofcom launched an investigation into the matter. “We found that Mr. Fox’s comments constituted a highly personal attack on Ms. Evans and were potentially highly offensive to viewers. They reduced her contribution to a broadcast discussion on mental health – in her professional capacity as a political journalist – to a judgment on whether she, or women like her who publicly expressed their political opinions, were sexually desirable to men,” Ofcom said. “As such, we considered that Mr. Fox’s comments were degrading and demeaning both to Ms Evans and women generally...
Comments made during the program by Fox targeting female political journalist, Ava Evans, prompted 8,867 complaints to Ofcom with viewers expressing concerns that his remarks were sexist, misogynistic and offensive.
Ofcom launched an investigation into the matter. “We found that Mr. Fox’s comments constituted a highly personal attack on Ms. Evans and were potentially highly offensive to viewers. They reduced her contribution to a broadcast discussion on mental health – in her professional capacity as a political journalist – to a judgment on whether she, or women like her who publicly expressed their political opinions, were sexually desirable to men,” Ofcom said. “As such, we considered that Mr. Fox’s comments were degrading and demeaning both to Ms Evans and women generally...
- 3/4/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Laurence Fox’s Gb News show, in which stand-in presenter Martin Daubney interviewed Reform Party leader Richard Tice about the hot-button small boats issue, has become the latest to be found in breach by Ofcom.
The regulator has rapped Gb News once again for “due impartiality” issues, following an interview between Daubney and Tice that was deemed to be “insufficiently challenged,” with the “limited alternative views presented dismissed,” according to today’s ruling.
During the program, right-wing commentator Daubney, standing in for Fox, gave his views on the topic of immigration and asylum policy, in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel. He also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Tice, which was flagged up by complainants to Ofcom.
“We considered that immigration and asylum policy constituted a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy,” Ofcom said. “When dealing with major matters,...
The regulator has rapped Gb News once again for “due impartiality” issues, following an interview between Daubney and Tice that was deemed to be “insufficiently challenged,” with the “limited alternative views presented dismissed,” according to today’s ruling.
During the program, right-wing commentator Daubney, standing in for Fox, gave his views on the topic of immigration and asylum policy, in the context of controversy over small boats crossing the English Channel. He also interviewed the leader of the Reform Party, Tice, which was flagged up by complainants to Ofcom.
“We considered that immigration and asylum policy constituted a matter of major political controversy and a major matter relating to current public policy,” Ofcom said. “When dealing with major matters,...
- 10/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Laurence Fox, the British actor who has starred in Lewis and White Lines, has been fired from Gb News and arrested on the same day.
Gb News said on Wednesday that it had “ended its employment relationship” with Fox after he was suspended last week for a misogynistic rant about female journalist Ava Evans.
Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson were both suspended last week pending internal investigations that have now concluded. As of today, Gb News has ended its employment relationship with Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson. The internal investigation into Dan Wootton continues.
— Gb News (@Gbnews) October 4, 2023
Fox’s Gb News rant, in which he claimed no “self-respecting man” would “climb into bed” with Evans, has become the most complained about moment on British TV since 2021. He has since apologized to Evans for his remarks.
Fellow Gb News presenter Calvin Robinson has also lost his job after declaring his support for Wootton,...
Gb News said on Wednesday that it had “ended its employment relationship” with Fox after he was suspended last week for a misogynistic rant about female journalist Ava Evans.
Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson were both suspended last week pending internal investigations that have now concluded. As of today, Gb News has ended its employment relationship with Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson. The internal investigation into Dan Wootton continues.
— Gb News (@Gbnews) October 4, 2023
Fox’s Gb News rant, in which he claimed no “self-respecting man” would “climb into bed” with Evans, has become the most complained about moment on British TV since 2021. He has since apologized to Evans for his remarks.
Fellow Gb News presenter Calvin Robinson has also lost his job after declaring his support for Wootton,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The journalist at the heart of the Gb News storm in the UK says she fears for her safety and is uncertain whether she will be able to carry on in her job.
Ava Evans, who works for the Political Joe website, found herself at the centre of a media debacle this week, when actor turned activist Laurence Fox appeared as a contributor to Gb News (where he also has a show) and slammed her using misogynist language.
Evans had angered Fox with comments earlier in the day about mental health problems not being limited to men. On Gb News, he called her “a little woman” and added “Who would want to s**g that?”
On Saturday, Evans told the Daily Mail that she intended to go to the police, after receiving a huge amount of abuse on social media, including rape threats. She said, “I do actually fear for my safety.
Ava Evans, who works for the Political Joe website, found herself at the centre of a media debacle this week, when actor turned activist Laurence Fox appeared as a contributor to Gb News (where he also has a show) and slammed her using misogynist language.
Evans had angered Fox with comments earlier in the day about mental health problems not being limited to men. On Gb News, he called her “a little woman” and added “Who would want to s**g that?”
On Saturday, Evans told the Daily Mail that she intended to go to the police, after receiving a huge amount of abuse on social media, including rape threats. She said, “I do actually fear for my safety.
- 9/30/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated: Another Gb News presenter has been suspended.
Calvin Robinson took to X/Twitter on Friday to write a lengthy message criticizing the UK channel for suspending Dan Wootton over his role in a misogynistic segment on Dan Wootton Tonight before quickly following up to say he had also been stepped down.
This story is moving fast and Robinson’s statement came soon after Gb News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos said Laurence Fox’s comments about journalist Ava Evans were “appalling” and offered a personal apology to her. Fox has also released a video saying he expects to be sacked today.
A Gb spokesperson confirmed that the network has suspended Robinson “pending an investigation.”
Robinson, a deacon for the evangelical Free Church of England and right-wing commentator, claimed Gb News “will be on borrowed time” if it does not support Wootton, adding: “We will all be the next in the firing line.
Calvin Robinson took to X/Twitter on Friday to write a lengthy message criticizing the UK channel for suspending Dan Wootton over his role in a misogynistic segment on Dan Wootton Tonight before quickly following up to say he had also been stepped down.
This story is moving fast and Robinson’s statement came soon after Gb News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos said Laurence Fox’s comments about journalist Ava Evans were “appalling” and offered a personal apology to her. Fox has also released a video saying he expects to be sacked today.
A Gb spokesperson confirmed that the network has suspended Robinson “pending an investigation.”
Robinson, a deacon for the evangelical Free Church of England and right-wing commentator, claimed Gb News “will be on borrowed time” if it does not support Wootton, adding: “We will all be the next in the firing line.
- 9/29/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The Traitors contestant Amanda Lovett has issued an apology after appearing on Gb News last week.
The 54-year-old appeared on the channel alongside her The Traitors co-star Kieran Tompsett, and posed for a photo with presenters Tatiana Sanchez and Calvin Robinson.
Many people criticised Lovett for posing with Robinson, who has previously been called out for his stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
“I just need to apologise to my new family,” Lovett wrote in her apology on Twitter. “I am so annoyed with my agent, I had no idea what the news channel was about.
“I’m absolutely disgusted to have sat next to a person that doesn’t believe in diversity, equality and being yourself. This will never happen again.”
The Independent has contacted Gb News for comment.
In November 2022, Robinson delivered a monologue on same-sex marriages, where he said: “To me, a marriage needs a bride and groom, anything else is not holy matrimony.
The 54-year-old appeared on the channel alongside her The Traitors co-star Kieran Tompsett, and posed for a photo with presenters Tatiana Sanchez and Calvin Robinson.
Many people criticised Lovett for posing with Robinson, who has previously been called out for his stance on LGBTQ+ issues.
“I just need to apologise to my new family,” Lovett wrote in her apology on Twitter. “I am so annoyed with my agent, I had no idea what the news channel was about.
“I’m absolutely disgusted to have sat next to a person that doesn’t believe in diversity, equality and being yourself. This will never happen again.”
The Independent has contacted Gb News for comment.
In November 2022, Robinson delivered a monologue on same-sex marriages, where he said: “To me, a marriage needs a bride and groom, anything else is not holy matrimony.
- 1/9/2023
- by Peony Hirwani
- The Independent - TV
BBC diversity chief Miranda Wayland has stirred up controversy on social media due to a discussion at the digital MIPTV conference (via Entertainment Tonight) in which she said Idris Elba’s popular crime series “Luther” is not “authentic” when it comes to Black storytelling.
As Wayland explained, “When [‘Luther’] first came out everybody loved the fact that Idris Elba was in there — a really strong, Black character lead. We all fell in love with him. Who didn’t, right? But after you got into about the second series you got kind of like, ‘Ok, he doesn’t have any Black friends, he doesn’t eat any Caribbean food, this doesn’t feel authentic.”
Wayland continued, “It’s great having those big landmark shows with those key characters, but it’s about making sure everything around them, their environment, their culture, the set is absolutely reflective. It will be very much about...
As Wayland explained, “When [‘Luther’] first came out everybody loved the fact that Idris Elba was in there — a really strong, Black character lead. We all fell in love with him. Who didn’t, right? But after you got into about the second series you got kind of like, ‘Ok, he doesn’t have any Black friends, he doesn’t eat any Caribbean food, this doesn’t feel authentic.”
Wayland continued, “It’s great having those big landmark shows with those key characters, but it’s about making sure everything around them, their environment, their culture, the set is absolutely reflective. It will be very much about...
- 4/14/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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