Ofcom, the broadcast regulator, has determined that GB News presenter Neil Oliver did not breach their rules when he made comments about the appearance of “turbo cancers” in younger people following COVID-19 vaccine roll-outs. The watchdog acknowledged that these remarks were the presenter’s personal opinion and did not materially mislead the audience, therefore they will not be pursuing the matter further.
During a broadcast on Jan. 13, 2022, Mr. Oliver discussed Pfizer’s recent acquisition of Seagen, a biotech company that focuses on cancer treatments and raised concerns about the sudden emergence of aggressive cancer types in young people following vaccine injections. The regulator cited freedom of expression as allowing broadcasters to cover controversial topics, and they reiterated that the presenter’s comments were considered to be his own viewpoint and did not mislead the audience.
Mr. Oliver, also known as “the coast guy,” is a well-known TV archaeologist, presenter of BBC documentaries, author, and former president of the National Trust for Scotland. He has gained a following for his passionate monologues opposing state encroachment onto civil liberties, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and free speech. His views on vaccine mandates, lockdown measures, and the influence of organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum have sparked controversy.
He raised concerns similar to those of qualified medical professionals, such as oncologist Professor Angus Dalgleish, regarding possible associations between COVID-19 vaccine boosters and the appearance of certain types of cancers. Prof. Dalgleish has expressed worries about the number of cancer cases linked to vaccine injections, particularly in lymphomas and leukemia.
The controversy over Mr. Oliver’s comments has reignited the debate around media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinations. This has also drawn attention to GB News’ reporting style, especially after the channel’s prior breach of broadcasting guidelines for claims made about excess deaths and COVID-19 jabs. The network has faced intense criticism for its choice of programming and hosts, with of no exception of Mr. Oliver.