Felicity Lawrence takes aim at Ofcom in this Comment is Free piece today.

It’s interesting how the first people (other than this site) to publicly criticise Ofcom for its tendency to engage in a one-sided, salesmanship approach to public consultation are the health food campaigners. Who could have predicted?

On the merits, I disagree with Lawrence. Ofcom is right to consider the interests of advertisers and broadcasters, both from an economic and a freedom of expression perspective. And Ofcom should not stand aside due to its (necessary) ties to broadcasters.

But Ofcom can do better with its consultations, as we have said many times before. Framing an issue for debate is fine, and Ofcom are very effective at this task. But public consultation needs to be more robust if it is to truly live up to its name. Certain key reforms are required, such as the introduction of ‘comments on comments’, or reply comments.

People are ready for an earnest debate. Ofcom should give it to them.