GB News has issued a correction after airing an “edited clip” falsely suggesting YouTuber Mohammed Hijab believed the Quran justified sexual intercourse with 5-year-olds.
The right-wing channel, which has been widely accused of Islamophobia, broadcast the clip on the “Patrick Christys Tonight” show on April 8, 2024.
GB News has now stated the clip gave a false impression and acknowledged that Hijab went on to explain how Islamic texts prohibit such conduct.
“In accordance with our Editorial Charter, we would like to take this opportunity to correct the record,” GB News said.
The video showed Mohammed Hijab responding at Speakers’ Corner to a man believed to be a Quranist — someone who rejects the necessity of hadith.
The discussion centred on whether Islam allows relationships with a 5-year-old and how that could be Islamically proven.
Hijab argued that the Qur’an does not mention such a ruling and that guidance is instead found in hadith.
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His wider point appeared to be that one cannot reject hadith when interpreting Islamic law.
However, the footage was edited and circulated by anti-Muslim figures such as David Wood, who posted the edited clip to X on three separate occasions.
The version contained jump cuts that removed key context, making it seem that Hijab claimed the Qur’an permits sexual relations with a 5-year-old.
In reality, Hijab had said: “If you were to just read the Qur’an” one might get that impression, before going on to clarify that other Islamic texts prohibit such conduct.
Hijab is a prominent Muslim debater and speaker. He is known for discussing Islamic theology and engaging in public debates about religion and politics.
The false impression from the edited clip which was featured on GB News, quickly drew criticism on social media from supporters who accused GB News of misrepresentation.
Some Muslim commentators linked the incident to a wider pattern of anti-Muslim bias in UK media.
Islamophobia concerns
GB News is considered by many to be Britain’s most Islamophobic TV news channel.
In July, it outpaced the BBC News Channel and Sky News in average viewership for the first time. BARB industry figures showed GB News averaged 80,610 viewers across July.
Supporters have praised the network as a voice against what they call “BBC bias” and “mainstream narratives.”
However, in December, a two-year study by the Centre for Media Monitoring accused GB News of structural anti-Muslim bias.
The study claimed stories about Islam were overwhelmingly negative and often demonised Muslim beliefs. It described an “obsession” with Muslim issues that could fuel tensions and unrest.
GB News called the report “defamatory” and an attack on free speech.
