Jean Seaton speaks to The Guardian about Johnson’s plans for Ofcom and the BBC

Following the news that Boris Johnson has reportedly offered jobs at the head of two of Britain’s most important media organisations to two outspoken critics of the BBC, Jean Seaton speaks to the Guardian about what this might mean for the future of the corporation. It has been widely reported that Paul Dacre, former editor of the Daily Mail, has been asked to run the national broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, while Lord Moore, the former editor of the Daily Telegraph and biographer of Margaret Thatcher, is believed to be considering accepting the role of chairman of the BBC.

In her comments to The Guardian, Seaton suggests that the appointment of Moore might have been possible to defend on its own. A BBC sceptic and senior journalist might be someone’s preferred candidate. “But it is the idea of the two of them in tandem that would be such a disaster and cannot be defended,” she said.

Downing Street sources have so far attempted to calm the impending row by praising the new director general, Tim Davie, and emphasising the government’s support of public service broadcasting.

Read the full article on The Guardian’s website.

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