Christian sportsman to get Ofcom job
-10/4/03
A well known Christian is today expected to take on a new role overseeing standards of taste and decency on televi
Christian sportsman to get Ofcom job
-10/4/03
A well known Christian is today expected to take on a new role overseeing standards of taste and decency on television.
Jonathan Edwards, Olympic gold medallist triple jumper who now presents BBC’s Songs of Praise will become England’s representative on the content board of the communications regulator Ofcom.
Ofcom is being formed from the merger of the independent television commission, the broadcasting standards commission and the radio authority.
The 37-year-old son of a West Country vicar will be responsible for championing the cause of listeners and viewers on issues as diverse as complaints about radio DJ phone-ins, to sex and violence on television.
Edwards credits his faith in God for his success, and during the early stages of his athletics career he refused to compete on Sundays.
The appointment is likely to surprise many in the media industry, and has already raised fears about censorship.
“This better not be a return to the reactionary days of Mary Whitehouse,” an executive at a leading commercial broadcaster told the Guardian.
His interviewers were attracted by the expertise they thought he would bring on sport and religion, while they also believed his lack of regulatory experience would mean a fresh approach.
Richard Hooper, the deputy chairman of Ofcom, is today expected to announce the names of the representatives for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the executives who will run the content team day to day.
Christian sportsman to get Ofcom job
-10/4/03
A well known Christian is today expected to take on a new role overseeing standards of taste and decency on television.
Jonathan Edwards, Olympic gold medallist triple jumper who now presents BBC’s Songs of Praise will become England’s representative on the content board of the communications regulator Ofcom.
Ofcom is being formed from the merger of the independent television commission, the broadcasting standards commission and the radio authority.
The 37-year-old son of a West Country vicar will be responsible for championing the cause of listeners and viewers on issues as diverse as complaints about radio DJ phone-ins, to sex and violence on television.
Edwards credits his faith in God for his success, and during the early stages of his athletics career he refused to compete on Sundays.
The appointment is likely to surprise many in the media industry, and has already raised fears about censorship.
“This better not be a return to the reactionary days of Mary Whitehouse,” an executive at a leading commercial broadcaster told the Guardian.
His interviewers were attracted by the expertise they thought he would bring on sport and religion, while they also believed his lack of regulatory experience would mean a fresh approach.
Richard Hooper, the deputy chairman of Ofcom, is today expected to announce the names of the representatives for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as the executives who will run the content team day to day.