Andrew Neil has thrown the gauntlet of brands and advertising and media agencies to go live to discuss their reasons for joining GB News’ advertising boycott.
The news channel chairman posted the appeal in a brief statement read on his Media Watch show on June 17th.
He railed against Stop Funding Hate, who staged the boycott through a Twitter-led campaign, claiming there was no basis for it his appeal to advertisers to remove the station from their media plans. « So far, not a single example of hatred has been cited to justify the boycott, » Neil said since GB News debuted on the 13th circling a BBC reporter, what the station denounced on the air.
« But this program is a constant invitation to the boss of any company or agency who thinks otherwise – to get on the air. We look at your examples and discuss them together. Our studio door is open. ”He also warned advertisers“ that this boycott business can go both ways ”and that“ we can get millions of supporters on social media. Not a good idea to end up at the wrong end. ”
Kopparberg, Grolsch and Nivea are among the brands that have stated they haven’t had any advertising on the channel since it was launched.
Richard Wilson, Director of Stop Funding Hate, told Campaign he denied Neil’s claim that the channel was not a source of hate speed.
« Within days of its launch, GB News commentators had the English football team for their anti-racism Attitude attacked and dangerous claims made about Covid-19, « said Wilson. “It’s no surprise that so many reputable brands are refusing to join in.” Campaign also asked several media outlets if they would take the opportunity to discuss the boycott live with Andrew Neil, but so far none has replied to them.
Sky Media, which sells advertisements for GB News, said it was unwilling to provide an update on whether new companies have joined the boycott or if any have changed their minds and are advertising on the channel again
The distributor confirmed that brands are more likely to buy TV audiences than certain channels, and so some may have advertised on GB News without knowing it.
However, a spokesperson confirmed that each company has its media plan that bans a specific channel.
Stop Funding Hate, which previously targeted British tabloids, has also hit back against Neil on Twitter, claiming its Kampa gne against GB News worked.
« GB News suggests Stop Funding Hate because they know the campaign is working, » said the campaign group. « The companies we buy are mindful of what their customers think, and if enough of us speak up, advertisers will respond. » The campaign group often refers to GB News as « British Fox News, » but Neil does and his colleagues have sought to distance the broadcaster from the right-wing US television news giant.
Angelos Frangopoulos, CEO of GB News, recently told Business Insider: « Fox News wouldn’t work here in the UK and it definitely is not what we do. «
Neil suggested that Stop Funding Hate had already decided on the channel before it started broadcasting.
» SFH started doing it four months before it started broadcasting round up the lynch mob. So I don’t think we’re talking about open-mindedness here, « he said.
» If advertisers want to see real hate, they should check out SFH supporters’ social media posts. They slander and threaten companies and people who do not behave with words like “hideous”, “scum”, “toxic” – and many more words that we cannot repeat here.
“But out of fear or ignorance some companies do the commandments of SFH. Lively nonsense has reached the boardrooms and corporate capitalism is becoming the useful idiot of fanatics who fall for censorship. ”
While SFH is campaigning to get more supporters to boycott, the warning that supporters of GB News led the Boycotts, in turn, could boycott The Express with a long list of well-known brands avoiding the channel.
A survey by the newspaper found that 93% of readers are willing to stop buying from brands that do Boycott.
Oliver Dowden, Minister of Culture, added his voice to the debate, criticizing advertisers for pulling their ads out of GB News about SFH.
« Our values of tolerance and freedom of expression, for who fought and died earlier generations are increasingly at risk of being undermined by a small but vocal minority, « he told the Sunday Telegraph.
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