Specsavers in the eye of national furore after joining GB News boycott

Friday 18 June 2021

Guernsey-based opticians Specsavers has joined dozens of other brands in boycotting GB News and pulling its advertising from the new channel.

It is one of many companies attracting national news headlines following the launch of GB News and the hundreds of complaints made to Ofcom about its content.

The channel received criticism from a UK social media campaign ‘Stop Funding Hate’, which accused the outlet of promoting ‘right-wing’ ideologies, and for being the UK’s answer to Fox News.

The channel is funded by Sky Media, who place adverts across a range of channels, meaning brands don’t often get to choose where they’re advertising is featured. 

‘Stop Funding Hate’ has successfully persuaded Kopparberg, Ikea and Pinterest UK to pull their advertising, and now Specsavers has followed suit.

I’m the flagship presenter. I did not say this. If another prez said it that’s for them to defend. I don’t agree with it. But @GBNEWS believes in free speech, even for presenters! It has nothing to do with hate. It’s just wrong (IMHO). You don’t have any examples of hate, do you? https://t.co/hd40LPXOTI

— Andrew Neil (@afneil) June 17, 2021

Pictured: GB News presenter Andrew Neil has responded to the criticism on Twitter. 

The decision has itself resulted in a national backlash, with several current and former UK politicians tweeting their disapproval of Specsavers.

The Daily Express ran the headline: ‘Bought Specsavers glasses for 10 years – No MORE!’ Britons furious at GB News ads pulled’

Express contacted Specsavers for comment on the decision and were told the firm would not be issuing a statement on it.

At @GBNEWS and just heard that @Specsavers have joined the blockade. pic.twitter.com/F02VHhWLUM

— Laurence Fox ✌????????????✌???? (@LozzaFox) June 16, 2021

Pictured: Actor and right-wing political activist Laurence Fox said he would return an acting award from Specsavers in protest.

GB News received 373 complaints from Ofcom during its opening night, after Dan Wootton focused his introductory monologue on the Black Lives Matter movement supporting the overthrow of capitalism and lockdowns being instigated by ‘doomsday scientists.’

Some companies have taken a different stance, with MoneySuperMarket reverting back to advertising on GB news, after initially pulling their ads earlier this week.