<p><strong>Chris Banatvala, Ofcom’s founding Director of Standards and former executive member of its Content Board, discusses what’s in the new chair of Ofcom’s in-tray.</strong></p><br><p><strong>We discuss why ‘due impartiality’ has become so contested, the blurred line between news and current affairs, and what it means when politicians front TV shows on channels they’re closely associated with. Chris reflects on Ofcom’s evolving approach, the rise of GB News, and the tension between promoting competition and protecting the public interest.&nbsp;</strong></p><br><p><strong>We also explore whether the rules we thought we understood are still being applied in the way Parliament intended—and what might need to change before the next general election.&nbsp;</strong></p><br><p><strong><em>"Freedom of expression is absolutely essential. What I don't want is a pretence of regulating for due impartiality when it's not actually happening."</em></strong></p><br><p><strong>To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month </strong><a href="http://www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership</strong></a></p><br><p><strong>@beebwatch.bsky.social</strong></p><p><strong><em>@BeebRoger</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>email:&nbsp;[email protected]</em></strong></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>