A new media report by think tank Demos finds the UK stands apart from almost every other European nation in allowing serving politicians to present current affairs programmes.

The report, written by Dr James Painter of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, surveyed 37 media regulators across Europe via the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA).

It found that in 35 of those 37 countries, there were no examples of a serving politician presenting a news or current affairs programme on a national TV channel. Only Iceland and Malta were exceptions, and even there the practice was limited and short-lived. What's more, 34 countries either explicitly ban or substantially restrict the practice.

The UK, by comparison, stands out from the crowd because:

  • Active politicians are allowed to present current affairs programmes (and news in exceptional circumstances) on all licensed television and radio services
  • The practice is explicitly permitted by law (Communications Act 2003), requiring UK regulator Ofcom to enforce due impartiality
  • And it has been the subject of significant debate in the UK.

Why this matters for UK newsrooms