Surprising comment today from Steven Barnett in the MediaGuardian. He says Ofcom needs a cultural renewal:

‘Who should be the new chairman? Not an economist. We need someone with vision, respected by business, but also an effective cultural champion - someone who is capable of standing up for the public interest even in the face of vigorous resistance from the businesses which Ofcom regulates.’

I’m on record on this one: Ofcom needs a woman at the helm. So, to answer your question Professor, the next Ofcom chairMAN should be a chairWOMAN.

(Although that should not stop you from having your say in our readers’ poll — over on the right –>>)

And it’s a bit strange to be saying that Ofcom are ignoring the cultural side of the house. I think most fair-minded observers would have said in 2005-2007 that Ofcom needed to focus more on bread and butter regulatory issues such as broadband speeds, next generation access or mobile termination rates. Barnett should remember that Ofcom were pushing the PSP, advertising restrictions for junk foods and media literacy during much of this time. Ofcom also participated in the Byron review and otherwise got really involved in shaping the AVMS Directive and other thinking about how media policy and the internet collide.  All perhaps debatable things in terms of their impact on society compared with mobile phone rip-offs.  And now Ofcom’s second PSB review is basically calling for new forms of public intervention in the media market.

It’s hardly fair to say Ofcom functioned merely as an economic regulator under Currie… 

Professor, why not try downloading The Wire using your mobile account when you go on holiday this summer?  Then write us back and let us know which female economist you propose for Ofcom’s top job.