ITV’s Good Morning Britian has been inundated with complaints after a controversial interview with his wife Yvette Cooper.
Good Morning Britain has been hit with 8.2k Ofcom complaints following Ed Balls’ interview with his wife Yvette Cooper.
ITV viewers rushed to Ofcom to submit complaints relating to both the questioning of Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana from both Ed Balls and Kate Garraway, and Ed interviewing his wife on air.
The discussions which took place on Monday delved into the violent riots which took place over the weekend in towns and cities throughout the UK.
It was a top news story as missiles were thrown, shops were targeted and police attacked in places including Tamworth, Bristol, Manchester and Hull.
The complaints poured in after Ed’s wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, appeared on the ITV show to shed light on the demonstrations and speak on the government’s response.
Viewers argued that it would be impossible for him to remain impartial due to their relationship, arguing that it was “ridiculous” and said another presenter should’ve stepped in.
Despite the complaints, ITV defended their decision as a spokesperson stated: “Following a weekend of rioting and national unrest, GMB featured a range of interviews and discussion around this national emergency on today’s programme which included James Cleverly, shadow home secretary, and Yvette Cooper, home secretary.
“We are satisfied that these interviews were balanced, fair and duly impartial.”
The complaints continued after a heated conversation with MP Zarah Sultana, as they discussed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s emergency press conference.
Although he labelled the rioters, “far-right thugs” the politician pointed out that he had failed to call the riots “Islamaphobic” or “racist.”
However, Ed hit back: “They have called it racist”, while Kate interrupted her saying: “No, no.”
As Kate continued trying to ask why using the word “Islamophobia” was so important to the MP, Ed continued to interrupt leaving Sultana to ask: “Can I finish Ed, if that’s ok?”
This enraged viewers who took to Ofcom as well as social media to bash the presenter for interrupting the MP and accused him of being “passive-aggressive.”
Following the recent controversial interview on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, the show continues to face backlash from viewers.
The discussion between Ed Balls and his wife Yvette Cooper, as well as the interview with MP Zarah Sultana, sparked a wave of 8.2k Ofcom complaints from concerned viewers.
The interview with Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, raised questions about impartiality, with viewers expressing concerns about Ed Balls conducting the interview due to their personal relationship. Many viewers felt that another presenter should have taken over to ensure fairness and balance in the discussion.
Despite the criticism, ITV stood by their decision, stating that the interviews with various guests, including shadow home secretary James Cleverly, were balanced, fair, and impartial. The network defended their coverage of the national emergency, which included discussions on the recent riots and unrest in the UK.
The conversation with MP Zarah Sultana also faced criticism, particularly for the interruptions by Ed Balls and Kate Garraway.
The heated exchange over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s response to the riots led to accusations of passive-aggressiveness and lack of respect towards the MP.Viewers took to social media and Ofcom to express their frustration with the interview and the conduct of the presenters.
The use of language and the handling of the discussion were heavily scrutinized, with many calling for a more respectful and balanced approach in future interviews on the show.
As controversies continue to surround the show, it is important for media outlets to reflect on how they handle sensitive topics and interviews to maintain trust and credibility with their audience. Stay tuned for more updates and insightful content to keep you informed on the latest developments.