TalkTV, Rupert Murdoch’s online channel, is facing criticism for not disclosing that a journalist who travelled to Britain in a small boat for a documentary is a Reform party member and activist. The channel revealed its “world exclusive” this week, stating that the journey made Christian Drogan the first British man “to invade his own country”.
The documentary, titled Invading Britain: The Undercover Migrant Returns, showed Drogan's year-long effort to cross the Channel from France into England. Drogan has previously stated he is a Reform party member who attends branch meetings and would like to stand for office for the party.
Media critic Mic Wright raised concerns, stating that audiences should be given the full picture about the reporter’s affiliations, particularly as he was pursuing issues that align with Reform’s agenda. However, Isabel Oakeshott, TalkTV’s international editor who worked on the documentary, rejected the criticism, stating there was nothing deceptive about the exposé and that her own political links are public.
Drogan stated his motivation was “getting to the heart of the biggest issues facing our country.” He added that he is a working-class man from the North of England “watching my country change before my eyes.”