In a recent development surrounding a poll conducted by GB News regarding the prospect of the UK rejoining the European Union, controversy has erupted, with accusations of biased polling methods and manipulation of results.
The poll, launched over the weekend by the broadcaster, sought public opinion on Brexit and the current state of the nation, specifically inquiring whether the UK should consider rejoining the EU, nearly eight years after the divisive referendum.
However, the methodology employed by GB News raised eyebrows, as the poll was concealed behind a paywall, limiting participation to paying subscribers. This decision effectively restricted access to a select portion of the population, raising concerns about the poll’s representativeness and fairness.
The situation took an unexpected turn when author Edwin Hayward intervened to democratise participation. Leveraging his sizable pro-EU following on social media, Hayward shared a direct link to the poll, circumventing the paywall and encouraging broader engagement from social media users.
This intervention prompted a significant shift in sentiment, with an overwhelming majority of votes advocating for rejoining the EU. At the time of reporting, over 90% of respondents favored a return to the European Union.
Despite the surge in pro-EU responses, GB News opted to feature only a snapshot of the poll results in their subsequent coverage, highlighting figures that favored staying out of the EU. This selective reporting raised further suspicions about the network’s commitment to transparency and impartiality.
The handling of the poll by GB News, touted as a platform for free speech, has sparked criticism and allegations of manipulating public opinion. Many have questioned the integrity of conducting a poll behind a paywall and subsequently presenting skewed results that align with the network’s agenda.
As concerns mount over the fairness of the polling process, some observers have called for regulatory scrutiny, with speculation arising about potential violations falling under the jurisdiction of OFCOM, the UK’s broadcasting regulator.
The controversy surrounding GB News’ polling practices underscores broader issues surrounding media ethics and transparency in public discourse, raising pertinent questions about the responsibilities of news organizations in shaping public opinion.
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