Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) representatives from the media and (b) Ofcom on ensuring the (i) accuracy and (ii) objectivity of coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

The attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel since 7 October are terrorist acts committed by a terrorist organisation, proscribed in the United Kingdom since 2021 and designated as such by many other governments and international organisations.

As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said at Prime Minister’s Questions (18 October 2023), “it is incumbent on all of those in positions of responsibility in this House and outside in the media to recognise that the words we say will have an impact, and we should be careful with them”.

Ofcom is the UK’s independent broadcasting regulator. In particular, it is required by legislation, and accountable to Parliament, to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code for television to ensure that audiences are adequately protected from harm and that news is reported with due accuracy and due impartiality. It is for Ofcom to determine whether there has been a breach of the Broadcasting Code, and whether to take action.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ofcom and representatives from the media on a range of issues.