Fincham To Interview Ofcom Chief at MGEITF 2009.

LONDON,  Monday 18th May 2009; Ed Richards, Chief Executive of Ofcom, will be in the hot seat at this year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, which takes place from 28-30 August 2009.

Richards will be interviewed by ITV’s Director of Television Peter Fincham, who last year criticised Ofcom for being out of touch with viewers and argued that over regulation could ‘kill television’, in the Festival’s MacTaggart lecture.

Since becoming CEO in 2006, Richards has come under increasing scrutiny from broadcasters and the media alike as he maps out Ofcom’s vision for Public Service Broadcasting and a Broadband Britain. The Q&A will address the key issues surrounding these policies and is guaranteed to be a dynamic debate and a session not to be missed at the festival.

Prior to joining Ofcom, Richards was Tony Blair’s senior policy advisor for media, telecoms, the internet and e-government. He also served as the BBC’s controller of corporate strategy. Richards began his career as a researcher with Diverse Production Ltd where he worked on programmes for Channel 4.

Elaine Bedell, Advisory Chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival Advisory Committee, said: “We feel it’s essential that the industry’s regulator is held to account at Edinburgh, television’s key festival. And we want to make sure we address the important issues of Public Service Broadcasting, Broadband Britain and regulation – and what better way to do this than a lively debate with Peter who was publicly critical of the regulator at this festival last year.”

This year’s MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Festival has already announced James Murdoch, chairman of Newscorp as this year’s MacTaggart and Robert Peston, who will deliver the Richard Dunn Memorial Lecture as well as a Masterclass from the highly acclaimed writer of The Wire, David Simon.

Registration for the 2009 MGEITF is now open. The early bird rate of £425 + VAT is currently available until June 30. Click here for more information http://www.mgeitf.co.uk/home/mgeitf.aspx

MGEITF Press Information:
Debra Johnson, Taylor Herring PR. Tel: 0208 206 5151 [email protected]