Former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre is set to take over at the broadcast watchdog Ofcom which has been regularly criticised for failing to properly hold the BBC to account. Meanwhile, it is understood the former Daily Telegraph editor Lord Moore is to be named as the BBC chairman. Lord Moore has been an outspoken critic of the BBC over its decision to try to force many over-75s to pay the TV licence or face criminal prosecution.
For a period of time he also refused to pay the licence fee in protest over its broadcasting standards.
Both distinguished journalists were strong Brexiteers and criticised the BBC for its pro-Remain coverage of the EU debate.
The appointments come at a time when the Government is also set to decriminalise non-payment of the licence fee making it easier for tens of thousands of people to stop giving money to the Corporation.
It also comes at a time when there is continued anger over the way the BBC uses taxpayer money for huge salaries for its presenters including Gary Lineker and Zoe Ball who both earn more than £1.3million a year.
It is understood Mr Dacre will use his Ofcom job to tackle BBC bias and bureaucracy – but will also go after internet platforms who peddle fake news.
A Government spokesman said: “We will launch the application process for the new chair of the BBC shortly. It is an open recruitment process and all public appointments are subject to a robust and fair selection criteria.”
Criticism of the Corporation has been mounting in recent years and earlier this week, actor Laurence Fox told Defund the BBC campaign: Laurence Fox on the BBC charter: “The BBC don’t care at all about their charter. The BBC is a propaganda machine for the hard left and they sit and sneer at the very people they are supposed to represent and are forced to pay for them under the threat of prosecution.”
More to follow…
