Serious concerns over Ofcom Chair recruitment process

Ofcom is the regulator for the media that underpins our democracy. That democracy is dependent on the independence of the media and its ability to hold power to account.

Ofcom is the regulator for the media that underpins our democracy. That democracy is dependent on the independence of the media and its ability to hold power to account. Ofcom has a duty under the Communications Act to secure the maximum benefit from the media space for citizens-consumers, industry, and the wider economy. It is essential, therefore, that the Chair must have the full confidence of both Parliament and the public. This process must be, and be seen to be, truly independent.

Unfortunately, we are not satisfied that these expectations are being met. After an unsuccessful attempt to appoint a Chair in the first round, which ended in May, over the last few months we have witnessed a governmental process which seemed to be an attempt to ensure that its favoured candidate, Paul Dacre, the ex-editor of The Daily Mail, was appointed; regardless of him being deemed ‘unappointable’ by the original panel. Despite Mr Dacre ruling himself out of the job last week, we still have grave concerns over the process.  

Since May, a new panel has been convened and we are concerned about the conflicts of interest, particularly with regard to the regulation of the BBC. Last week we learned that one member of this new three-person appointments panel [the original panel had four members], and the Senior Independent Panel Member, Michael Prescott, is a senior executive at a firm with close ties to the Conservatives, which also lobbies on behalf of Sky and Facebook. Meanwhile a second panellist, Michael Simmonds, is a former Conservative adviser, and married to a Conservative MP. This raises serious questions about the suitability of these individuals to be panellists. The panel’s credibility is further marred by panel members’ associations with Sir Robbie Gibb, a former Downing Street adviser, robust critic of the BBC, and now a member of its Board. These connections surely create a serious conflict of interest when considering that the panel will be appointing the Chair of the body which regulates the BBC, an independent and publicly accountable media organisation.

As allegations of sleaze, corruption and cronyism surround the Government we ask now that all the processes pertaining to this vital Ofcom appointment are explained. We seek absolute assurance that the next Chair of Ofcom is appointed according to the established and accepted principles of UK public appointments; namely that Ministers are provided with a choice of high-quality candidates, drawn from a strong, diverse field, whose skills, experiences, and qualities have been judged to meet the needs of the statutory office in question, chosen by a panel consisting of appropriately qualified and independent panellists.  

We seek absolute assurance that the next Chair of Ofcom is appointed according to the established and accepted principles of UK public appointments

A rigorous appointments process for the appointment of public figures such as the Ofcom Chair is well established. It is surely a matter of serious concern that yet again this government is not proceeding with proper regard for that process. We also note that under this government your predecessor had to intervene on several occasions after finding public appointments panellists ‘not sufficiently independent’. 

Your office exists to ensure fairness and probity in public office, this encompasses the appointments process. We hope that you share our unease at the current situation regarding the Ofcom appointment and will exercise your full powers to ensure that the appointments process for the new Chair is indeed fair and transparent.

Signed:

Patrick Barwise, Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing, London Business School

Anthony Bellanger, General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Alastair Campbell, Former Downing Street Director of Communications

Alessandro D’Arma, Reader in Communication Policy, Deputy Director, Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster/IAPMR

Des Freedman, Professor of Media and Communication Studies and head of Department, Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London

Ivor Gaber, Professor of Political Journalism at the University of Surrey

Lindsay Mackie, Journalist

Jolyon Maugham, Executive Director of the Good Law Project

Dr. Maria Michalis, Reader in Communication Policy, Deputy Director, CAMRI, School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster/IAPMR

Laura Phillips, Journalist and Media Commentator

Renate Schroeder, Director of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury, Former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Michelle Stanistreet, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ)

Dr Damian Tambini, Distinguished Policy Fellow in the Department of Media and Communications at LSE, where he also serves as Programme Director for the MSc Media and Communications (Governance). He is an Associate Professor and serves on the government’s Covid Disinformation Taskforce.

Sally-Ann Wilson, CEO of the Public Media Alliance