GB2GB, the public-led movement for fair and accountable media, today issued a statement highlighting what it describes as “structural bias” in the commissioning and reporting of political polls in the United Kingdom.The movement notes that while polling companies such as YouGov, Ipsos, Opinium and Survation conduct the fieldwork, the majority of political polls published in the UK are commissioned by media organisations — many of which are owned or influenced by billionaire (UK and Foreign) defined interests - which do not always align themselves to the interests of the citizens of the UK and create division.
The Founder of GB2GB for GB2GB said:
“Pollsters don’t decide what to ask, when to ask it, or how the results are framed. The commissioners do. And in the UK, most public political polling is commissioned by newspapers and broadcasters owned by a small number of wealthy individuals. That creates a structural incentive to produce polls that support preferred narratives.”
GB2GB argues that editorially aligned outlets can influence public perception through:
* the timing of polls
* the framing of questions
* selective publication of favourable results
* headline emphasis
* omission of methodological context
The movement emphasises that no falsification of data is required for bias to occur. Instead, it points to the cumulative effect of question design, weighting, and selective reporting as mechanisms that can significantly shape political narratives.
Polls are often presented as neutral snapshots of public opinion,” the spokesperson added. “But when the people paying for the polls also control the headlines, the interpretation, and the narrative, the public is not seeing a mirror — they’re seeing a message'.
Key Facts
* Most UK political polls are commissioned by media outlets rather than pollsters.
* Commissioners influence the timing, framing, and design of poll questions.
* Polls can be technically accurate yet still misleading when selectively framed.
* GB2GB is calling for transparency, clearer disclosure, and public education on how polls are constructed and reported.
GB2GB is calling for: clearer disclosure of poll commissioners, transparency around question design and weighting, public education on how polls can be framed, independent scrutiny of polling practices including during election periods.
ENDS.
Notes to Editors: GB2GB is a public-led movement focused on media fairness, transparency, and accountability. For more information, Click Here
“GB2GB will publish a public guide on poll transparency later this month"