What's the Point of Ofcom?

Ofcom is one of the key regulators in twenty first century Britain. It supervises the big industries of the present and the future: telephony, broadcasting, media, and so on. It is at the intersection of technology, culture and politics. Ofcom is also at its own crossroads with a new chair to be announced in late Spring 2021. That individual could shape the public sphere for decades to come. Hence, this book – the first to my knowledge about the regulator – simply asks what is the point of Ofcom? And is it fit for purpose after close to two decades of existence?A panoply of those with knowledge and experience cast their minds to these big questions:Rt.Hon Sir Alan Moses, Judge, Former Head Independent Press Standards Organisation; Bill Emmott, Former Editor The Economist, Former Chair Ofcom Content Board; Steve Barnett, Professor of Communications, University of Westminster; Mark Thompson, Former BBC DG/New York Times CEO; Clive Myrie, Royal Television Society Journalist of the Year 2021; David Elstein Former Senior Executive Thames, Sky Television, Channel Five; Janice Hughes CBE Graphite Strategy. Early Oftel/Ofcom strategist; Simon Albury MBE, Former CEO The Royal Television Society; Marcus Ryder MBE, Diversity Champion; Robin Aitken MBE, Daily Telegraph columnist; Jacqui Hughes, Former Ofcom executive; Peter Jukes, Byline Times; Paul Connew, Former Editor Sunday Mirror/Media commentator; Phillip Collins, former Chief speech writer for Tony Blair/Columnist at The Times; Julian Petley, Professor of Journalism, Brunel University; Christopher Williams, Telegraph Business Editor.