Cristina Nicolotti Squires has been named as Ofcom’s group director for broadcasting and the media.
She will lead the group responsible for broadcasting policy and regulation.
Nicolotti Squires was most recently director of content at Sky News, before this she was editor of ITN’s 5 News, and had also held senior leadership positions at ITV News after starting her career in print and local TV news.
“We’ve never had so much choice of where and how to get our entertainment and information, and never has it been so important to ensure fairness and accuracy while embracing the fundamental principle of free speech,” she said.
At the top of her inbox will be the debate surrounding GB News. There are currently 12 complaints against the right-leaning broadcaster, principally around impartiality and its use of sitting politicians in programmes.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said: “Cristina’s significant broadcasting experience will be a major asset to Ofcom. I’m very much looking forward to working with her.”
Nicolotti Squires will take over from Siobhan Walsh, Ofcom’s senior broadcasting director who has led the Broadcasting and Media Group on an interim basis since the departure of Kevin Bakhurst to become RTE director-general.
Walsh will continue in place until Cristina arrives, before returning to her previous role.
