Ofcom

{{pic|File:Logo of Ofcom (2004).svg|Wordmark as of 2004, including the full name}}

On 20 June 2001, the Queen's Speech to the UK Parliament announced the creation of Ofcom. The new body, which was to replace several existing authorities, was conceived as a "super-regulator" to oversee media channels that were rapidly converging through digital transmission.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/1398580.stm|title=Queen announces media shake-up|work=BBC News|date=20 June 2001}}

On 29 December 2003, Ofcom launched, formally inheriting the duties that had previously been the responsibility of five different regulators:{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3354093.stm|title='Super-regulator' Ofcom launches|work=BBC News|date=29 December 2003}}

• the Broadcasting Standards Commission
• the Independent Television Commission
• the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel)
• the Radio Authority
• the Radiocommunications Agency

In July 2009, Conservative Party opposition leader David Cameron referenced Ofcom in a speech against the proliferation of quangos: {{blockquote|With a Conservative government, Ofcom as we know it will cease to exist… Its remit will be restricted to its narrow technical and enforcement roles. It will no longer play a role in making policy. And the policy-making functions it has today will be transferred back fully to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.{{cite web |title=Ofcom top of Tory deathlist – Quangogeddon |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/06/cameron_ofcom/ |first=Chris |last=Williams |date=6 July 2009|work=The Register |access-date=23 February 2010}}{{cite news|title=Ofcom hits back at David Cameron|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/06/ofcom-david-cameron|first=Leigh|last=Holmwood|date=6 July 2009|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=12 March 2016}}}}

Under Cameron's subsequent premiership of the 2010 UK coalition government, the Public Bodies Act 2011 did remove or modify several of Ofcom's duties, although it did not substantially reduce Ofcom's remit.{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/ofcom|title=Ofcom|publisher=Politics.co.uk}}

On 1 October 2011, Ofcom took over responsibility for regulating the postal services industry from the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm).{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmbis/769/76904.htm|title=Competition in the postal services sector and the Universal Service Obligation|website=UK Parliament (Commons Select Committees – Business, Innovation and Skills)|date=12 March 2015}}

In April 2015, Ofcom announced that telephone companies would have to provide customers with a set charge for the cost of calling numbers starting with 084, 087 and 09. The streamlining of these charges must be printed in each customer's contract and monthly bills. The change came into force on 1 July 2015 and affected over 175 million phone numbers, making it the biggest overhaul of telephoning in over a decade.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11565249/Ofcom-cracks-down-on-hidden-charges-in-TV-phone-ins.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/11565249/Ofcom-cracks-down-on-hidden-charges-in-TV-phone-ins.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Ofcom cracks down on hidden charges in TV phone-ins|date=27 April 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=27 March 2016}}{{cbignore}}

On 1 January 2016, the regulation of video on demand was transferred to Ofcom from ATVOD, the Authority for Television on Demand.{{cite news|title=Ofcom to take on regulation of video-on-demand services|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/14/video-on-demand-ofcom-atvod|author=Jasper Jackson|date=14 October 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=12 March 2016}}

The Digital Economy Act 2017 extended Ofcom's remit and powers. Ofcom were given powers concerning the minimum broadband speed provided by Internet service providers, the ability to financially penalise communications providers for failing to comply with licence commitments and the power to require public service broadcasters to include a minimum quantity of children's programming made in the United Kingdom. The act also transferred to Ofcom the regulation of the BBC, a duty previously undertaken by the BBC Trust,{{cite news|title=How the Digital Economy Act will come between you and porn|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/03/digital-economy-act-explainer/|work=engadget|author=Jamie Rigg|date=3 May 2017|access-date=20 December 2017}}{{cite news|title=Digital Economy Bill: Networks and porn sites face fines|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36725774|website=BBC News|date=6 July 2016|access-date=7 July 2016}} and updated the Ofcom Electronic Communications Code to make it easier for telecommunications companies to erect and extend mobile masts.{{cite news|title=Small cells and 5G: What the Digital Economy Bill changes mean for operators|url=http://www.telecomstechnews.com/news/2016/oct/18/small-cells-and-5g-what-digital-economy-bill-changes-mean/|date=18 October 2016|author=Paul Carter|work=Telecoms Tech|access-date=15 November 2016}}

Following a consultation over the Online Harms White Paper published by the UK government in April 2019, the government announced in February 2020 that it intended Ofcom to have a greater role in Internet regulation to protect users from "harmful and illegal content".{{cite news|title=Ofcom to be put in charge of regulating internet in UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/feb/12/ofcom-to-be-put-in-charge-of-regulating-internet-in-uk|newspaper=The Guardian|author1=Alex Hern|author2=Jim Waterson|date=12 February 2020}}

In July 2022, Ofcom received additional tools to prevent, identify and remove any content that depicts child sexual abuse and exploitation. These tools will be introduced through an amendment to the Online Safety Bill. Ofcom will be allowed to penalise those tech firms that do not comply, either by fines up to £18m or by 10% of the company's annual turnover, whichever amount is higher.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62052185 | title=Tech firms told to do better on child abuse images | date=5 July 2022 | publisher= BBC News |access-date=6 July 2022 }}

On 1 February 2025, Ofcom took the regulation of Controlled Premium Rate Services (CPRS) back in-house.{{cite web |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/mobile-phones/ofcom-takes-on-responsibility-for-regulating-premium-rate-services/ |title=Ofcom takes on responsibility for regulating premium-rate services |date=2025-01-31 | publisher=Ofcom |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250201000016/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/mobile-phones/ofcom-takes-on-responsibility-for-regulating-premium-rate-services/ |archive-date=2025-02-01}} These services were previously regulated by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA) which was disbanded on 31 January 2025 as Ofcom withdrew its formal approval of the former PSA Code of Practice.{{cite web |url=https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2025/january/regulatory-responsibility-for-premium-rate-services-will-transfer-to-ofcom-on-1-february-2025 |title=Regulatory responsibility for premium rate services will transfer to Ofcom on 1 February 2025 |date=2025-01-21 |publisher=PSA |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250127000321/https://psauthority.org.uk/news/news/2025/january/regulatory-responsibility-for-premium-rate-services-will-transfer-to-ofcom-on-1-february-2025 |archive-date=2025-01-27 }}

{{Main|News International phone hacking scandal}}

In July 2011, in the wake of the News International phone hacking scandal, Ofcom came under pressure to launch an inquiry into whether the parent company of News International, News Corporation, was still the "fit and proper" owner of a controlling stake in the satellite broadcasting company British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB). On 13 July former Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged Ofcom to launch an investigation.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/07/13/bloomberg1376-LOAAC60UQVI901-5319LIBGU2PL77S07RDVI9V238.DTL|title=Brown Urges Ofcom to Probe News Corp.'s Existing BSkyB Stake|access-date=24 July 2011|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=13 July 2011}} {{Dead link|date=December 2011|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-13/brown-urges-regulator-to-probe-news-corp-s-existing-bskyb-shareholding.html|title=Brown Calls on Regulator to Probe News Corp.'s Existing BSkyB Shareholding|access-date=24 July 2011|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=14 July 2011|first=Robert|last=Hutton}} On 15 July the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stated that the Government would launch a review of laws on what constituted a "fit and proper" owner for broadcasting companies in the United Kingdom, and that anyone found not to meet that standard can be forced to give up their current holdings in a company.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8639225/Phone-Hacking-Rupert-Murdochs-grip-on-BSkyB-may-be-threatened-warns-Nick-Clegg.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8639225/Phone-Hacking-Rupert-Murdochs-grip-on-BSkyB-may-be-threatened-warns-Nick-Clegg.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Phone Hacking: Murdoch's grip on BSkyB may be threatened, warns Clegg|access-date=24 July 2011|work=The Telegraph|date=15 July 2011|location=London|first=James|last=Kirkup}}{{cbignore}}

On 22 July 2011, it was reported that Ofcom had begun an investigation into whether the phone-hacking scandal may have changed BSkyB's status as the "fit and proper" holder of a UK broadcasting licence.{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/efce3662-b48a-11e0-a21d-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss|title=UK regulator begins probe into BSkyB's status|access-date=24 July 2011|work=Financial Times|date=22 July 2011}} On the same day Ed Richards, the then chief executive of Ofcom, replied to Simon Hughes MP, Don Foster MP and Tim Farron MP following a letter which they had written to him on 8 July concerning News Corporation's shareholding in BSkyB.{{cite web|url=http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/07/22/letter-to-simon-hughes-don-foster-and-tim-farron-mp-from-ed-richards/|title=Letter to Simon Hughes, Don Foster and Tim Farron MP from Ed Richards July 22, 2011|access-date=25 July 2011|publisher=Ofcom|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920060643/http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2011/07/22/letter-to-simon-hughes-don-foster-and-tim-farron-mp-from-ed-richards/|archive-date=20 September 2011|df=dmy-all}} In the letter Richards confirmed that Ofcom considers that News Corporation's current shareholding of 39.14% in BSkyB does give it a material influence over the company; that Ofcom is not precluded from acting by ongoing police investigations; and that Ofcom's process is not dependent upon a criminal conviction being secured.

In April 2012, Ofcom's probe moved from a monitoring phase to an "evidence gathering" phase.Katherine Rushton [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/9229535/Ofcom-steps-up-fit-and-proper-probe-into-BSkyB.html Ofcom steps up 'fit and proper' probe into BSkyB], The Daily Telegraph. 26 April 2012

* Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications{{cite web |title=Regulator archives |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/about/document/100years/milestne.htm |website=Ofcom |date=24 June 2010}}

Ofcom licenses all UK commercial television and radio services in the UK. Broadcasters must comply by the terms of their licence, or risk having it revoked. Ofcom also publishes the Broadcasting Code, a series of rules which all broadcast content on television and radio must follow.{{cite web|title=Ofcom broadcasting|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=4 September 2012|archive-date=16 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016155741/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/|url-status=dead}} The Broadcasting Code requires that content inappropriate for children should not be broadcast between the hours of 5:30{{nbsp}}a.m. and 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m. Premium-rate film services may broadcast content equivalent to a BBFC 15 certificate at any time of day provided a PIN-protected system is in place to restrict access to those authorised to view it.{{cite web|title=Appendix 3: International Comparison of Classification and Content Regulation – The United Kingdom|url=http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/appendix-3-international-comparison-classification-and-content-regulation/united-kingdo|publisher=Australian Law Reform Commission|date=1 March 2012|access-date=16 March 2016}} The broadcasting of pornography with a BBFC R18 certificate is not permitted.{{cite news|title=Ofcom to consider product placement on TV and radio|url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/article/476966/ofcom-consider-product-placement-tv-radio|date=25 May 2005|author=Joe Lepper|work=Brand Republic|access-date=16 March 2016}} In 2010 Ofcom revoked the licences of four free-to-air television channels for promoting adult chat services during daytime hours and transmitting content that was too sexually explicit. The companies involved were fined £157,250.{{cite news|title=Adult TV channels become first to lose licences|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11847846|date=26 November 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=16 March 2016}} Ofcom's jurisdiction does not cover television and radio channels which are broadcast in the UK but licensed abroad. In 2012 Ofcom lodged a complaint with the Dutch media regulator regarding the content of adult chat television channels which are broadcast in the UK but licensed in the Netherlands.{{cite news|title=Ofcom lodges porn TV complaint with Dutch regulator|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/17297090/ofcom-lodges-porn-tv-complaint-with-dutch-regulator|work=BBC Newsbeat|author=Del Crookes|date=8 March 2012|access-date=16 March 2016}} Based on a survey of 200 British respondents, Ofcom published in 2016 a list of about 50 words classified in four grades of offensiveness, from "milder" to "strongest".{{cite magazine|title=Ofcom Have Officially Ranked Every British Swear Word|url=http://www.look.co.uk/news/ofcom-officially-ranked-swear-words-557942|magazine=Look Magazine|author=Will Butler|date=3 October 2016}}

Ofcom regulates the UK telecoms sector, defining and enforcing the conditions by which all mobile and fixed-line phone and broadband companies must abide. These "general conditions" are wide-ranging rules relating to matters such as telephone numbering, emergency services, sales, marketing and interconnection standards. General condition 14.4 requires communications providers to maintain a complaints handling code approved by Ofcom, and general condition 14.7 requires an approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) scheme to be in place.thinkbroadband, [https://www.thinkbroadband.com/news/3615-ofcom-review-alternate-dispute-resolution-and-complaints-handling Ofcom review Alternative Dispute Resolution and Complaints Handling], published on 10 July 2008, accessed on 12 April 2025 Ofcom's investigation unit monitors compliance with the conditions and resolves disputes between providers.

Ofcom is also the competition authority for telecoms, enforcing remedies in markets where it believes dominant operators may have a potentially harmful influence on competition or consumers. One of its most high-profile interventions was to require BT to split its wholesale and retail arms into separate companies, bringing about the creation of Openreach which supplies wholesale services to both BT Retail and competing providers.{{cite web|url=http://www.bcs.org/content/conWebDoc/18328/|title=Overview of UK telecommunications regulation|publisher=Chartered Institute for IT}}

On 1 July 2015, Ofcom made a number of changes to the way phone calls to UK service numbers would be charged. Under the new legislation, which was promoted by an information campaign entitled UK Calling,{{cite web |url= http://www.ukcalling.info/| title=UK Calling | publisher=Ofcom}} call charges must be clearly stated on all materials that advertise a service number. The changes came after research found that callers are often confused about service call charges, and thus can avoid calling these numbers. The July 2015 changes also saw 'freephone numbers' 0800 and 0808 become free to call from both mobiles and landlines.{{cite web|title=July number Change|url=http://www.0345-numbers.uk/uncategorized/ofcom-poster/|date=22 June 2015|website=0345 Numbers}}

In March 2016, Ofcom launched an interactive "Mobile coverage and fixed broadband checker",{{Cite web|url=http://maps.ofcom.org.uk/check-coverage/|title=Mobile coverage and fixed broadband checker|website=maps.ofcom.org.uk|access-date=4 April 2016}} allowing people to check mobile coverage and broadband speeds via their post code.

Ofcom is responsible for the management, regulation, assignment and licensing of the electromagnetic spectrum in the UK, and licenses portions of it for use in television and radio broadcasts, mobile phone transmissions,{{Cite web |title=The Ultimate Guide to 5G {{!}} Bytes Digital |url=https://www.bytesdigital.co.uk/guides/the-ultimate-guide-to-5g |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=www.bytesdigital.co.uk |language=en}} private communications networks, wireless devices and so on. The process of licensing varies depending on the type of use required. Some licences simply have to be applied and paid for; other commercial licences are subject to a bidding process. Most of the procedures in place have been inherited from the systems used by the previous regulators. However, Ofcom may change some of these processes in future.

Ofcom protects the radio spectrum in a number of ways:

• Working within international organisations (ITU, CEPT and BEREC).
• Licensing UK-controlled commercial radio spectrum; the Ministry of Defence controls its own spectrum. Within the international framework for frequency use; Ofcom liaises through the UK Government to produce the UKFAT (UK Frequency Allocation Table). The current table was produced in 2017.
• Investigate and, when necessary, carry out enforcement activities to clear interference or illegal use from the spectrum. Until June 2010 Ofcom investigated all interference cases within the UK. Interference reporting has now been transferred to the BBC. This contract specifically excludes any requirement to investigate interference relating to AM radio reception.{{cite web|url=http://www.radioandtvhelp.co.uk/interference/rtis_info/about_us|title=About Us|publisher=Radio & Television Investigation Service|date=8 April 2013|access-date=8 April 2013|archive-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409100053/http://radioandtvhelp.co.uk/interference/rtis_info/about_us|url-status=dead}} Commercial and spectrum licence holders report to Ofcom and in all cases illegal ("pirate") radio operations are still reported to Ofcom.

In October 2010 the government announced plans for Ofcom to inherit the functions of Postcomm as part of a wider set of public service sell-off measures.{{cite news |title=Ofcom to cut staff by a fifth

|author=Tim Bradshaw |newspaper=Financial Times |date=21 October 2010 |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/93ac5de2-dd25-11df-9236-00144feabdc0.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/93ac5de2-dd25-11df-9236-00144feabdc0.html |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription }} Following the Postal Services Act 2011 regulatory responsibility for postal services transferred to Ofcom on 1 October 2011, with its primary duty to maintain the UK's six-day-a-week universal postal service.

Ofcom makes extensive use of consultations with industry and the public to help it make decisions based upon the evidence presented. Consultation processes begin with publishing documents on its website,{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/ |title=List of Ofcom consultations |publisher=Stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk |date=24 May 2010 |access-date=2 May 2012}} asking for views and responses. If the document is perceived to be long and complicated, a plain English summary is usually published as well. A period, usually of 10 weeks, is allowed for interested persons, companies or organisations to send in their responses to the consultation.

After this consultation period, Ofcom publishes all the responses on its website, excluding any personal or confidential information. Ofcom then prepares a summary of the responses received, and uses this information as a basis for its decisions.{{cite web |title=Ofcom – Official Website – Homepage |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/}}

Current board membership of Ofcom is listed on its Web site, which may be more up-to-date than this article.{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board|title=Ofcom Board|publisher=Ofcom}} Updated as required.

Michael Grade, Baron Grade of Yarmouth was appointed as chairman of Ofcom for a four-year term from 1 May 2022.{{cite web |date=1 April 2022 |title=Lord (Michael) Grade |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-grade-is-confirmed-as-the-new-ofcom-chair |publisher=DCMS}} Melanie Dawes was appointed Chief Executive on 12 February 2020.{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/nov/06/ofcom-selects-melanie-dawes-as-chief-executive | title=Ofcom Selects Melanie Dawes As Chief Executive | work=The Guardian | date=12 February 2020}}

The first chairman of Ofcom (2002–2009) was David Currie, Baron Currie of Marylebone, Dean of Cass Business School at City University. The first chief executive (2003–2007) was Stephen Carter, Baron Carter of Barnes, formerly a senior executive of JWT UK and NTL and subsequently a Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting.{{cite web|url=http://www.berr.gov.uk/aboutus/ministerialteam/page48340.html |title=Lord Carter of Barnes |publisher=Department for Business, Information and Skills |date=6 November 2009 |access-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714063134/http://www.berr.gov.uk/aboutus/ministerialteam/page48340.html |archive-date=14 July 2009 }}

Colette Bowe was appointed Ofcom chairman with effect from 11 March 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board-2/members/colette-bowe-2/ |title=Colette Bowe |publisher=Ofcom |access-date=2 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430030431/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board-2/members/colette-bowe-2/ |archive-date=30 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20111005153049/http://www.concurrences.com/cv.php3?id_auteur=1428&lang=en Colette Bowe] Institute of Competition Law. Retrieved 9 July 2011.{{cite news|last1=Sweney|first1=Mark|title=Colette Bowe appointed as Ofcom chair|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/17/colette-bowe-confirmed-as-ofcom-chair|access-date=10 August 2017|work=The Guardian|date=17 December 2008}} She was the founding chairman of the Telecoms Ombudsman Council, and chaired Ofcom's Consumer Panel from its inception in 2003 to December 2007.

Dame Patricia Hodgson was appointed as chairman of Ofcom for a three-year term from April 2014. She was a member of the Ofcom board from July 2011 and became deputy chairman in January 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board-2/members/dame-patricia-hodgson/ |title=Dame Patricia Hodgson DBE |publisher=Ofcom |date=1 February 2012 |access-date=20 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421064326/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board-2/members/dame-patricia-hodgson/ |archive-date=21 April 2014 |df=dmy-all }} On 18 July 2016, it was announced that her term would be extended for a further year until 2018.{{cite web|url=http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2016/patricia-hodgson-ofcom-chairman-until-2018/|title=Dame Patricia Hodgson to remain Ofcom Chairman until 2018|website=Ofcom|date=20 September 2016|access-date=22 May 2017}}

Sharon White was Ofcom's chief executive from 2015 to 2019, having replaced Ed Richards in the role.{{cite web|title=Ofcom Board appoints Sharon White as Chief Executive|url=http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2014/sharon-white-ceo/|publisher=Ofcom|date=16 December 2014}}

After Sharon White was appointed the Chief Executive of John Lewis in June 2019,{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/jun/06/sharon-white-leaves-ofcom-to-join-john-lewis-partnership | title=Sharon White Leaves Ofcom to Join John Lewis Partnership | work=The Guardian | date=6 June 2019}} the office of Chief Executive remained open until Jonathan Oxley was appointed as Interim Chief Executive.{{cite web | url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2019/jonathan-oxley-appointed-interim-chief-executive | title=Jonathan Oxley Appointed Interim Chief Executive | publisher=Ofcom | date=12 February 2020}} In February 2020, it was announced that Melanie Dawes would become the new Chief Executive.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/nov/06/ofcom-selects-melanie-dawes-as-chief-executive | title=Ofcom Selects Melanie Dawes As Chief Executive | work=The Guardian | date=12 February 2020}}

On 15 March 2016, it was announced that Steve Gettings would become Corporation Secretary in succession to Graham Howell.{{cite web|title=Note of the 225th Meeting of the Ofcom Board, held on 15 March 2016|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/content/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board/ofcom-minutes-notes/15_March_2016.pdf|publisher=Ofcom|date=22 March 2016|access-date=26 July 2016|archive-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806004151/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/content/about/how-ofcom-is-run/ofcom-board/ofcom-minutes-notes/15_March_2016.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Ofcom's key personnel are:

• Chief Executive, Melanie Dawes, appointed February 2020
• Board members:
• Maggie Carver, Deputy Chair, appointed September 2018
• Jonathan Oxley, appointed January 2015
• Graham Mather, appointed June 2014
• Ben Verwaayen, appointed January 2016
• Tim Suter, appointed September 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2017/new-ofcom-board-member-appointed|title=New Ofcom board member appointed|date=29 September 2017|website=Ofcom|access-date=25 October 2017}}
• Bob Downes, appointed February 2018
• Angela Dean, appointed September 2018
• David Jones, appointed April 2019

Ofcom publishes a register of disclosable interests of the Ofcom board.{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/how-ofcom-is-run/register-disclosable-interests/|title=Register of disclosable interests|website=Ofcom|access-date=22 May 2017}}

;Status

{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes Acting Chairman}}

• 29 December 2003 – 31 July 2006 Stephen Carter
• 1 August 2006 – 5 October 2006 Chairman of Ofcom (Acting)
• 5 October 2006 – 31 December 2014 Ed Richards
• 1 January 2015 – 23 March 2015 Steve Unger (Acting)
• 23 March 2015 – 27 November 2019 Sharon White
• 27 November 2019 – March 2020 Jonathan Oxley (Acting)
• March 2020 – present Melanie Dawes

Ofcom has a number of committees and advisory bodies which inform the Ofcom Board and Executive. These include:{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/how-ofcom-is-run/committees|title=Ofcom committees|website=Ofcom|access-date=25 October 2017}}

• Communications Consumer Panel (CCP)
• Advisory Committee for Older and Disabled People (ACOD)
• Risk and Audit Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Remuneration Committee
• Election Committee
• Non-Executive Remuneration Committee
• Nations Committee
• Advisory Committee for England
• Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland
• Advisory Committee for Scotland
• Advisory Committee for Wales
• Community Radio Fund Panel
• Ofcom Spectrum Advisory Board (OSAB)
• Broadcast Licensing Committee

Ofcom is also involved in a number of other independent organisations including being an observer member of NICC Standards Ltd.{{cite web | url=https://niccstandards.org.uk/about/ | title= About NICC - NICC | website=NICC Standards | date=18 February 2025}}

Since 1 January 2021, Ofcom has defined hate speech as "all forms of expression which spread, incite, promote or justify hatred based on intolerance on the grounds of disability, ethnicity, social origin, sex, gender, gender reassignment, nationality, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, colour, genetic features, language, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth or age."{{cite web | url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/ofcom-broadens-definition-hate-speech-134735008.html | title=Ofcom broadens definition of hate speech to include trans intolerance | website=Yahoo Sports | date=2 January 2021}} However, there is concern that Ofcom's broad definition of hate speech can easily result in the unjustified censorship of controversial opinions, however legitimate they might be.{{cite web | url=https://thecritic.co.uk/ofcom-is-a-menace-to-our-freedom-of-speech/ | title=Ofcom is a menace to our freedom of speech | last=Tettenborn | first=Andrew | website=The Critic | date=24 September 2020}}

Ofcom has received criticism for incurring unnecessary costs as a result of "extravagant Thames-side offices" and a "top-heavy salary bill",{{cite web|url=http://www.davidrowan.com/2003/12/interview-stephen-carter-david-currie.html|title=Interview: Stephen Carter & David Currie, Ofcom (Evening Standard)|author=David Rowan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013055452/http://www.davidrowan.com/2003/12/interview-stephen-carter-david-currie.html|date=31 December 2003|archive-date=13 October 2008|website=davidrowan.com}} for inflexibility in its regulation of commercial radio,{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/jun/05/radio.ofcom | location=London |work=The Guardian | title=Ofcom accused of 'Nero approach' | first=John | last=Plunkett | date=5 June 2007}} and for "poor service".{{cite web |url=http://www.letsfixbritain.com/ofcomissues.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041103051337/http://www.letsfixbritain.com/OfcomIssues.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 November 2004 |title=Poor Service from OFCOM |publisher=Letsfixbritain.com |access-date=2 May 2012 }} In response to ongoing expenditure concerns, Ofcom made the following statement regarding the 2017/2018 budget: "Ofcom has delivered 12 consecutive years of like-for-like real-terms budget reductions, and we will continue to reduce spending wherever we can."{{cite web|url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2017/ofcom-confirms-priorities-for-201718|title=Ofcom confirms priorities for 2017/18|date=30 March 2017|website=ofcom.org.uk}}

The Qatar-based news media outlet was reported{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40843126|title=Israel moves against Al Jazeera|date=6 August 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=25 October 2017}} to Ofcom in January 2017, following an exposé about Israeli diplomatic{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/israel-embassy-scandal-shai-masot-resigns-threat-take-down-mps-labour-nus-critical-pro-palestinian-a7524446.html|title=Israeli embassy official caught discussing 'take down' of pro-Palestinian MPs quits|author=Lizzie Dearden|date=12 January 2017|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=25 October 2017}} corps irregularities and influence peddling amongst political and student groups in the UK.

After investigations exceeding eight months, Ofcom reported that Al Jazeera was in line with journalism standards and cleared the filmmakers of the allegations.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/oct/09/ofcom-clears-al-jazeera-ntisemitism-expose-israeli-embassy-official|title=Ofcom clears al-Jazeera of antisemitism in exposé of Israeli official|first=Graham|last= Ruddick|date=9 October 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=25 October 2017}}

In May 2011, Ofcom ruled that Press TV, an Iranian English-language satellite channel, was responsible for a serious breach of UK broadcasting rules and could face a fine for airing an interview with Maziar Bahari, the Newsweek journalist arrested covering the Iranian presidential election in 2009, that was obtained by force while he was held in a Tehran jail. Press TV said that Bahari did not "dispute the truth and accuracy" of the extract of the interview, so it made "no logical sense" to require his consent.{{cite news|last=Sweney|first=Mark|title=Iran's Press TV censured for interview with arrested journalist|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/may/23/iran-press-tv-maziar-bahari|work=The Guardian |access-date=25 May 2011|date=23 May 2011|location=London}}

The Sitefinder database is a national database of mobile phone base stations in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/sitefinder/faq |title=Ofcom | Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=Stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk |date=21 June 2010 |access-date=20 April 2014}} In September 2007, an Information Tribunal ruled that the public should have access to the database under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.{{cite news |title=Data row hits mobile mast website |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7024206.stm | work=Technology |publisher=BBC News | date=2 October 2007 | access-date =6 January 2010}} However, as Ofcom has no legal power to force mobile phone operators to add information to the database, UK mobile phone operators consequently ceased updating it.

Ofcom appealed against the Freedom of Information Act ruling, together with one UK mobile operator – T-Mobile.{{cite web |title=Ofcom fails to prevent release of cell locations – But operators might not play ball |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/09/13/sitefinder/ |author=Bill Ray |date=13 September 2007 |work=Networks |access-date =23 February 2010}} This has led to accusations of the organisation's complicity with the mobile telecommunications industry in keeping information about mast locations secret.{{cite news|title=Phone mast locations kept from public |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/phone-mast-locations-kept-from-public-450616.html |first=Geoffrey |last=Lean |date=27 May 2007 |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=23 February 2010 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221171034/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/phone-mast-locations-kept-from-public-450616.html |archive-date=21 December 2008 }} Ofcom's stated reasons for the appeal have ranged from "preventing terrorist attacks" on the sites of phone masts to "protecting the intellectual property" of the mobile telecommunications industry.

In April 2008, the High Court found in favour of the Information Commissioner's Office and over-ruled Ofcom's objections. Ofcom appealed to the Supreme Court, who in turn referred a point of law to the European Court of Justice, and then in October 2011 ordered that the matter should be remitted to the Information Rights Tribunal to reconsider the public interest balancing exercise.{{cite web |title=Sitefinder: Frequently Asked Questions|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/sitefinder/faq|publisher=Ofcom|access-date=21 August 2012}} On 12 December 2012, the Information Rights Tribunal upheld its decision of 4 September 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.panopticonblog.com/2012/12/17/eir-exemptions-and-aggregation-a-round-trip/ |title=EIR Exemptions and Aggregation : a round trip |publisher=Panopticon Blog |date=17 December 2012 |access-date=20 April 2014}}

In 2017, Ofcom's advisory committee for Wales awarded Deryn Consulting a contract to monitor the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Government. It was subsequently reported that the contract had not been put out to tender and that Huw Roberts and Nerys Evans held positions for both Deryn and Ofcom.Private Eye, March 9th, 2018. p13.{{cite news|work=Wales Online|title=Ofcom Wales under fire after contract awarded to insiders' company|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/ofcom-wales-under-fire-after-12649696|author=Martin Shipton|date=24 February 2017}} The contract was terminated{{cite news|work=Wales Online|title=A controversial contract awarded by Ofcom to a Welsh lobbying firm has been terminated|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/controversial-contract-awarded-ofcom-welsh-13493333|author=Martin Shipton|date=21 August 2017}} and Ofcom concluded that it had broken its own procurement rules.{{cite news|work=Wales Online|title=Ofcom admits it broke its own rules in giving contract to lobbying firm run by its own advisors|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/ofcom-admits-broke-rules-giving-13801707|author=Martin Shipton|date=23 October 2017}}

Abu Dhabi TV, owned by the Abu Dhabi Media state enterprise, was condemned by Ofcom for broadcasting a televised interview of the confessions made by a Qatari citizen, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Jaida, while he was detained arbitrarily in the Abu Dhabi prisons in 2013. The National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar welcomed Ofcom's decision. Under the decision, it was stated that on 28 June 2017, the Abu Dhabi TV channel, which is affiliated with Abu Dhabi Media Company P.J.S.C "ADMC", licensed under Ofcom had broadcast an interview recording titled "Mahmoud Al-Jaidah and the clandestine organization in UAE". According to the decision, the aired interview was recorded against the consent of Dr. Al-Jaidah, who was physically tortured during his time in the Abu Dhabi prison. The activity had constituted a serious breach of the principles of fairness and privacy detailed in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.{{cite web|url=https://nhrc-qa.org/en/themencode-pdf-viewer/?file=https://nhrc-qa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/NHRC-statement-en-032020.pdf|title=NHRC Statement No. 03/2020 regarding the decision of the office of communications of the United Kingdom "Ofcom" on condemning and imposing sanctions on Abu Dhabi TV channel|access-date=9 November 2020|website=National Human Rights Committee}}{{cite web|url=http://icfuae.org.uk/news/ofcom-media-regulator-penalise-abu-dhabi-tv-airing-unethical-interview-qatari-detainee|title=Ofcom media regulator to penalise Abu Dhabi TV for airing unethical interview with Qatari detainee|access-date=16 November 2020|website=ICFUAE International Campaign for Freedom in the UAE|date=16 November 2020}}

In 2019, Ofcom began an investigation into the Chinese international channel CGTN, owned by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), following allegations that a forced confession from British former journalist Peter Humphrey was broadcast on the channel.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-08|title=Ofcom investigating CGTN for allegedly airing forced confession|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/may/08/ofcom-investigating-chinese-channel-cgtn-forced-confession-claims|access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Guardian|language=en}} In addition, it also received four formal complaints over similar alleged confessions.{{Cite news|last=Moore|first=Matthew|date=2019-01-28|title=Daughter of Gui Minhai demands ofcom inquiry after China TV shows 'forced confessions'|language=en-UK|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/daughter-of-gui-minhai-demands-inquiry-over-china-global-television-network-confessions-vcgq6wh9v|access-date=2021-06-05|issn=0140-0460}} In November, Hong Kong activist and former UK consulate worker Simon Cheng filed a complaint to Ofcom a week after CGTN released a video of him admitting to "soliciting prostitution", which Cheng said he was forced to make.{{Cite news|date=2019-11-28|title=Simon Cheng: UK media watchdog receives 'China forced confession' complaint|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-50592641|access-date=2021-06-05}}

In early 2021, Ofcom revoked the UK broadcasting licence of CGTN. In a statement, it noted that the licence holder for the channel, Star China Media Ltd., did not have editorial responsibility over the channel, which was against legal requirements. It was also unable to hand over the licence to a corporation called "China Global Television Network Corporation" (CGTNC), on the grounds that the company was "ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, which is not permitted under UK broadcasting law".{{Cite news|date=2021-02-04|title=Ofcom revokes Chinese broadcaster CGTN's UK licence|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55931548|access-date=2021-06-05}}{{Cite web|date=2021-02-04|title=Chinese state broadcaster loses UK licence after Ofcom ruling|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/chinese-news-network-cgtn-loses-uk-licence-after-ofcom-ruling|access-date=2021-06-05|website=The Guardian|language=en}} Ofcom later fined CGTN £225,000 for "breaching rules on fairness, privacy and due impartiality".{{Cite web|date=2021-03-11|title=CGTN fined £225,000 by Ofcom|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2021/03/11/cgtn-fined-225000-by-ofcom/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=Digital TV Europe|language=en-GB}}

Following the revocation, both the Chinese government and state media began targeting the BBC, accusing it of producing "fake news" in its coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China and the Xinjiang internment camps.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-11|title=China bans BBC for 'fake news' on Xinjiang, coronavirus|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/china-bans-bbc-for-fake-news-on-xinjiang-coronavirus/|access-date=2021-06-05|website=POLITICO|language=en-US}} CGTN itself claimed that Ofcom was "manipulated by extreme right-wing organizations and anti-China forces".

In June 2022, the BBC's historian, Jean Seaton, publicy said that Michael Grade "is too lazy, too old, and has too many conflicts of interest," according to The Guardian. She called his appointment as chairman a means of "bullying" the BBC.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-02 |title=Michael Grade too lazy and old to lead Ofcom, says BBC official historian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/jun/02/michael-grade-too-lazy-old-to-lead-ofcom-jean-seaton-bbc-historian-hay |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

Ofcom has been criticized by some for being seen as too lenient on GB News, which has breached Ofcom rules on a regular basis. Despite having found GB News in breach of Ofcom rules 11 times in a year,{{Cite web |date=24 April 2024 |title=GB News told 'fines are on table' as Ofcom fires election warning |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24274798.gb-news-told-fines-table-ofcom-fires-election-warning/ |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=The National|language=en |first=Steph |last=Brawn }} Ofcom has refused to levy any fines or penalties against the network, instead preferring to simply issue warnings. Ofcom has previously also stated that GB News can use sitting politicians as presenters on its network. {{Cite web |date=24 April 2024 |title=GB News can continue to use politicians as presenters, says Ofcom|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/apr/24/gb-news-can-still-use-politicians-as-presenters-ofcom |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=The Guardian|language=en |first=Jim |last=Waterson }} Andrew Neil, the founder of GB News who has since left, has said that Ofcom needs to "grow a backbone and quick” regarding letting politicians host TV programmes.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2024 |title=Andrew Neil: Ofcom needs to grow a backbone over regulating GB News |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/andrew-neil-gb-news-ofcom-esther-mcvey-philip-davies-b2533391.html |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=The Independent|language=en |first=Laura |last=Harding }}

• Overton window
• Advertising Standards Authority
• Annan Committee, that in 1977 recommended the establishment of a Broadcasting Complaints Commission
• Broadband stakeholder group
• Office of Fair Trading
• Press Complaints Commission
• ATVOD
• ITSPA
• ISPA
• Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO)
• International Telecommunication Union
• List of telecommunications regulatory bodies
• Roskomnadzor

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/ Ofcom Broadcast Codes]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF6xyoSa49g/ Quick video guide to Ofcom for broadcast journalists]

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