A tense moment unfolded on GB News when singer Holly Valance used a deeply offensive slur during a live interview. Presenter Josh Howie swiftly cut her off, visibly uncomfortable with the language.
Valance, known for her early 2000s pop hits, was discussing her recently reinstated song on Apple Music – a track that had initially been removed due to its explicit lyrics. The song, a pointed critique of “woke” ideology, had surprisingly topped the iTunes chart in Australia.
The controversy escalated when Valance, appearing on the program “Free Speech Nation,” referenced Australia’s Covid-19 policies. She used the slur, describing it as a way to measure societal control during the pandemic.
Howie immediately apologized to viewers for the use of the word, acknowledging its potential to offend. He attempted to navigate the situation, highlighting the show’s commitment to free speech while simultaneously distancing himself from the offensive term.
Valance responded with defiance, questioning the boundaries of “Free Speech Nation” and demanding to know where she was permitted to speak freely. Howie conceded the point, admitting the show had a limit even within its stated principles.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing scrutiny for GB News. The network has faced numerous complaints to Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator, regarding controversial comments made on air.
Just last year, Ofcom concluded a six-month investigation into the channel, finding it had breached broadcasting standards. The breach involved the same presenter, Josh Howie, articulating a harmful and homophobic trope linking the LGBTQ+ community to paedophilia.
While the regulator deemed the comment “highly offensive” and potentially damaging, GB News avoided a sanction by issuing an apology and airing a follow-up segment where Howie attempted to clarify his remarks. The incident underscores the delicate balance between free speech and responsible broadcasting.
