LONDON (Bywire News) - More than 60 companies are currently advertising on Andrew Neil’s right-wing, conspiracy-theory peddling news channel, GB News, with many people already threatening to boycott the firms unless they stop advertising on the channel.
The supposedly “anti-woke” channel, which only launched on Sunday evening, has already been accused of spreading misinformation about Covid-19 in a segment by presenter Dan Wootton - and people on social media are suggesting GB News should already be reported to the TV Ombudsman, Ofcom:
Here is @Ofcom's complaint form if anyone needs it to report Dan Wootton pushing COVID-19 conspiracy theories on GB News completely unchallenged and without any attempt at balance.
— Alex Tiffin (@RespectIsVital) June 13, 2021
We don't need a Fox News. https://t.co/d7Avu2wUlu
Due to the channel's decision to peddle misinformation, consumers are also now threatening to boycott companies who advertise on the news channel.
Sky Media, a subsidiary of Murdoch-run Sky TV, is handling advertisements on behalf of GB News - however, it has emerged that some firms are actually unaware that they are being advertised on the channel.
Beer company Grolsch has said their advert was run on the channel “without knowledge or consent”, adding:
“Grolsch is a brand that prides itself on core values of inclusion and openness to all people, and we want to be clear that we do not associate ourselves with any platforms or outlets that go against these values.”
And three other companies have also since pulled their adverts from appearing on GB News: the Open University, Kopparberg, and Nivea.
Stop Funding Hate and Boycott GB News have both begun campaigns to put pressure on firms to stop advertising with GB News, and for consumers to boycott them if they refuse.
Here is a full list of companies that are currently advertising on GB News:
Shopping
- Appeal Home Shading
- Amazon
- American Express
- Boots
- Direct Bullion
- Fiverr
- Itchpet.com
- MSC Cruises
- JML
- Specsavers
- Wickes
Food/Drink
- Burger King
- Cadbury
- Clean G alcohol-free gin
- Co-Op Food
- Deliveroo
- Just East
- Kellogg’s
- Kenco
- Petit Filous
- Rana Pasta
- Starbucks
- Taylors of Harrogate Coffee
- Warburtons
- Weetabix (Alpen)
Health
- Bazuka and Ibuleve (Diomed Group)
- Benadryl and Listerine (Johnson & Johnson)
- Bupa
- Motability
- Feel Multivitamins
Tech/Electrical
- Beko
- Bosch
- Microsoft
- Verisure Alarms
Cars
- AA
- Cazoo
- Green Flag
- Volvo
Utilities
- Compare the Market
- Kardia Mobile
- LV
- TalkTalk
- Virgin Media
- Vodafone
Betting
- Ladbrokes
- National Lottery
- People’s Postcode Lottery
Hotels/Estate Agents
- Boomin Estate Agents
- Premier Inn
- Trivago
UK Government
- EU Resettlement Scheme
Companies who have now paused or pulled their adverts on GB News:
- Ikea - now pulled their ads. "IKEA has not knowingly advertised on GB News, and we have safeguards in place to prevent our advertising from appearing on platforms that are not in line with our humanistic values and vision to side with the many people."
- Indeed.com - now pulled their ads. "We’ve requested and confirmed that our advert has been removed from airing here in the future."
- Octopus Energy - now paused their ads. "We'll monitor any new channels (including this) before running ads and will only advertise if balanced and meets our policies."
- Ovo Energy - now paused their ads. "We have a clear policy not to advertise on platforms which do not align with our values. We’ve made the decision to pause our use of the channel whilst we ensure it meets our values."
We will be updating this article periodically as and when new firms decide to advertise on the channel, or when companies choose to pull their adverts from GB News.
(Writing by Jess Miller, edited by Klaudia Fior)