Ofcom Watch: “I shall call him Mini-Me”

The Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom says it is going to start a website called Ofcom Watch. [sound of Klaxton horn] Commence Transmission of Signal — Earth to planet-CPBF: Message — “We’ve already (i) been there, (ii) done that, and (iii) bought the tee-shirt!” CPBF should stay out of the cloning business.

Notwithstanding their attempt to use our name, CPBF’s initial message is also somewhat alarming to me, suggesting that it will approach the established indoor-sport of Ofcom-watching from more of a shrill and uncritical perspective. For example, CPBF calls Ofcom a ‘monster regulator’. Nice attempt to establish your street-cred, perhaps, but a poor start for an organization that says it will follow the development of regulatory policy.

And consider this CPBF gem: “Appointments to Ofcom are done on an headhunting basis, rather than an open process of advertising posts and interviewing for the best candidate.” Ah yes, Ofcom has trampled the long-standing tradition of holding public hearings to award jobs. Exactly what is wrong with using head-hunters?

Now, folks, there is only one Ofcom Watch, right? And by ‘watch’, we mean that we approach these regulatory issues with both eyes open…and we calls ‘em likes we sees ‘em.