Whilst being of the opinion that Ofcom is a light touch evidence based regulator and will, eventually, act in the interests of citizens and consumers, one thing they definitely are not is quick. In the fast paced and rapidly evolving world of media communications, with ever increasing internet speeds, Ofcom are regulating at a snails pace, hobbling along the global superhighway with a Zimmer frame.

It looks like the broadcast code will be well over 6 months late, and that was after the original publication date in January had already swallowed an entire year of consideration. It is simply untenable to ponder for so long over such matters. Broadcasting standards themselves are not static and the pallet of the possible is being mixed at a very rapid pace by technology. It would be better to regulate for today in the knowledge that you might have to change the rules in future rather than spend months or years trying to reach the unattainable perfect rule book.

But the broadcasting standard is not the only thing Ofcom are slow with. In two recent attempts to extract information from Ofcom under the Freedom of Information Act they have responded in the maximum amount of time that is allowed under the law and on both occasions have then delayed the decision beyond that time. A third request strangely looks like it’s headed the same way (more of that later). Perfectly within the law, yes. Speedy and responsive, no.

When interviewed recently over broadcasting standards it has taken Ofcom longer to read and respond to the transcript of the interview that was sent to them than it took to type it. If the delay continues for much longer there is a real danger that matters will be overtaken by events making the transcript of little value. But there again perhaps not, we might be saved by a further delay in the publication of the code.

It would seem that Ofcom believe in the ancient Chinese proverb that it does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.