Member - Ofcom Content Board

Ofcom is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, video-on-demand, telecommunications, wireless communications and postal services. These include responsibility for overseeing television and radio broadcasting throughout the United Kingdom, including regulating the BBC, and later this year responsibility for enacting the Online Safety Bill. Ofcom is also now responsible for regulating UK-based video sharing platforms. This means that these services will need to have in place measures to protect young people from potentially harmful content, and to ensure that all users are protected from hate speech and illegal content.  

The purpose of the Content Board:  

The Content Board is a committee of Ofcom’s Main Board and is charged with understanding, analysing and championing the voices and interest of the viewer, the listener and citizen. The Content Board advises the Ofcom Board on decisions relating to content matters, including considering the interests of different parts of the UK. Content Board members generally form part of the rota for reviewing Ofcom content standards decisions and, depending upon experience, may be asked to give advice to the Executive on other specialist matters. 

Purpose of the role:  

Ofcom has been providing protection and assurance for audiences across television, radio and video-on-demand for many years. Increasingly however, these issues are set within the wider context of changes in communications markets, and particularly the role of the internet and digital media. As audiences increasingly move online, a key part of our work is to consider the challenges this poses for viewers and listeners and for the sectors that we regulate. Ofcom’s Content Board plays an important role in delivering this work and in helping shape future approaches to regulation. This is an exciting time to join us and help shape policy in a fast-changing digital world.  

  The majority of Content Board Members are part-time non-executives and drawn from diverse backgrounds across the UK. We want to attract a wide range of applicants to provide a good balance of skills and relevant sector experience on the Content Board in order to create a diversity of perspective and independence of thought and decision-making.  

Skills and Knowledge: key competencies 

 We are seeking to recruit one new non-executive member with editorial expertise and many of the following skills to join the Content Board. No previous experience of being a non-executive member is necessary.  

• a good understanding of the principles and practice of content regulation, preferably gained from the industry side;  

• an excellent understanding of broadcasting policy and regulatory issues, the UK media policy landscape and relevant international context; 

• an understanding of the needs of consumers and citizens, and an ability to work well with colleagues from the devolved Nations on policy and consumer issues; 

• sound judgement and decision-making to ensure successful delivery in a highly complex organisation; 

• strong communication skills to make an effective contribution to the discussions of a high-level public body;  

• personal integrity of a high order; demonstrable understanding of Ofcom’s need to make independent judgements under pressure; and 

• a track record of good editorial judgement and decision-making at a senior level in broadcasting. 

 Further Information:  

The time commitment is four days a month, including attending approximately six formal meetings a year of the full Content Board. The successful applicant may be required to chair the Election Committee. 

 To apply and be considered for interview stage, your application must include a CV and covering letter in one document by the closing date, 27th March 2023. Your covering letter must give evidence of how you meet the key competencies. Your letter should be no more than four sides of A4 in length. Final Interviews will be held the week of 24th April 2023.  

Potential or actual conflicts of interest must be declared and discussed at interview. Applicants must have personal integrity of a high order and ensure that their conduct accords with the 7 principles of public life. Content Board Members are required to act in accordance with the Board’s Code of Conduct.