Leighton Andrews is an occasional Ofcomwatcher, Honorary Professor at the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University (JOMEC), and full time Welsh Assembly Member representing Rhondda.

When he gets a spare moment he is also writing a book on the BBC and Britishness in the Birt/Dyke period!

Whilst he pulls his research together for the book he is also blogging some of it - on his new blog - Blogging the Beeb. He hopes the blog will help him find out - what the ‘British’ in the BBC’s name really means in today’s multi-cultural, global and digital environment? Seems a fair (and topical) question to ask. In his own words he says,

“What does the word ‘British’ mean for the BBC today? How does the BBC reflect contemporary Britishness? What does Britishness mean after devolution, the enlargement of the European Union, the challenges of globalisation, 7/7, the current debates on multiculturalism?”

Leighton has stacks of insight into the BBC because he was Head of Public Affairs at the corporation between 1993-6 and understands the context and impact of PSB for the broader industry having been a consultant on media policy issues to a wide variety of media organisations.

But he wants to hear from other people too. He asks,

“I want to hear from people with views on these subjects - either in comments on the posts here, or via email. I’m happy to hear from viewers, listeners, friends of the BBC, critics, members of staff, former members of staff, people in rival companies - anyone with something relevant to say on this subject.”

So go check it out and contribute - blogging the beeb