By Gabriel Princewill-
Ofcom has brought in a new chair to oversee and transform online platforms in the Uk Michael Grade, a media veteran of several decades, brings with him a wealth of experience from the media and broadcasting world.
Grade by most accounts satisfies the criteria to oversee the requirements of his new role in the eyes of a number of highly placed individuals, but Mps are not entirely sure of his suitability for the post.“ His clear lack of depth when talking about social media and online safety gives us concerns,” the committee wrote in a report published on Friday.“
During his career, Grade has been chief executive of Channel 4, chairman of the BBC and executive chairman of ITV.
However, the Committee have equally expressed a degree of confidence in his intrinsic capabilities, stating that ”he appears to understand the importance of Ofcom’s new role in regulating the online space. It would be difficult to find a candidate with deep experience across the whole of Ofcom’s remit, and we hope that he will be well supported with the necessary advice to fulfil his role as chair”, the report added.
Singing his praises last week was Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, who expressed delight in announcing the well accomplished Grade as the British government’s preferred candidate for the role.
Ms Dories hailed his suitability for the £142,5000 job, stating that “Lord Grade’s experience at the highest level of a number of broadcasters and his expert knowledge of the British media landscape makes him an ideal candidate for this role”.
She said the introduction of the Online Safety Bill will give Ofcom new responsibilities and resources to “ensure digital platforms tackle illegal and abusive material online”.
She included : “I am confident that under Lord Grade’s leadership Ofcom will rise to the challenge with great success,” she said.
Optimism
Conservative chair, Julian Knight MP, has also expressed optimism in Grade’s future prospects, stating that “Lord Grade impressed during the hearing and clearly has the character and gravitas for the role.” .
Ofcom will preside over the implementation of the online safety bill, which is due to become law by the end of the year, though the post is yet to be confirmed. Grade has promised to keep his promise to keep his opinions at the door at stay out of conversations around the BBC license fee and Channel 4 privatization.
His admission not use social media may have raised eye brows in some quarters, but he is believed to have what it takes to have effective oversight over a broad range of social platforms that constitute social media.
The SNP MP John Nicolson suggested Lord Grade’s “lack of engagement with such an important part of contemporary life” could prove problematic when regulating the internet.
However, the 79-year-old, whose career has predominantly been in broadcast television at the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 sees things differently.
Addressing his inexperience of Grade told parliament: “I wouldn’t say I have no experience – I have three kids. I have a 23-year-old student son who is never off his screen. I do understand the dynamics. We can’t be experts in every single aspect of the turf that Ofcom has to patrol.”
Committee chair Julian Knight said: “He will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the broadcasting sector to the job, but when talking about social media he seemed to be on more shaky ground.
“While he recognizes the importance of Ofcom’s soon-to-be enhanced role in tackling harmful content online, he may need support and advice to make sure he’s up to speed on how the regulator best keeps people safe in the ever-changing online world.”
The Online Chair vowed to “leave his opinions at the door” after sharing “strong” views on “woke warriors”, Channel 4 privatization and the BBC license fee.
Grade has previously accused Ofcom staff of being “woke warriors”, expressed support for controversial anti-lockdown campaigner Laurence Fox, suggested that Channel 4 should be privatized and that the BBC license fee was “regressive”.
Asked by committee members whether those opinions would influence his tenure as Ofcom chair, Grade said: “Ofcom’s enviable reputation as a regulator is based on their processes, their adjudications are based on evidence and research, and therefore you leave your opinions at the door when you arrive at Ofcom.”
He added: “I have strong opinions sometimes… One single person’s opinion in Ofcom, whether it’s my opinion or other members of the board, will contribute to the debate, but one voice is not powerful in Ofcom nor should it ever be, certainly not the chairman’s voice.”
The former chief executive of Channel 4, has backed the proposed privatization of the broadcaster, and called for the improvement of Ofcom’s diversity, particularly on the executive board.
Grade said Ofcom had to improve its diversity, particularly on the executive board.
He said: “It’s clear to me that there’s a problem at the main board level, a distinct lack of diversity. And whilst appointments are not in the gift of Ofcom I will be pushing very hard that there is a seriously diverse list of candidates from which to choose.”
The Government’s previous preferred candidate for Ofcom chair was reportedly former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre but he withdrew from consideration last year, blaming “the toxic hatred of Brexit that is so palpable among the people who really run this country” for his decision.
Grade revealed that he made the decision to apply for the role after the process was reopened due to his interest in the Online Safety Bill .
“It hadn’t occurred to me to apply until I started to think hard about the Online Safety Bill which seemed to me to be a seriously important piece of business… and I thought why not? I’ll have a go,” Grade said.
On taking on tech giants, he added: “I think the laws of nature suggest they will resist regulation. They’re used to having their own way, it is a wild west in a sense… The time has come for effective regulation. And I think Britain is at the forefront of this.”