Chris Smith Joins Classic Panel

Chris Smith MP has signalled his intention to stay connected to the media world following his departure from the position of Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport earlier this year in favour of Tessa Jowell (see Smith Replaced By Jowell Following Labour Landslide). He has accepted the role of chair of a consumers panel set up by Classic FM as part of a move towards greater self-regulation.

It is hoped that the initiative by Classic FM will serve a dual purpose, according to GWR executive chairman Ralph Bernard: to respond to the Government’s desire for more modern content regulation and to communicate better with consumers.

The consumer panel will be recruited through a series of on-air advertisements. It will then meet quarterly to receive and review the programme plan prepared by the station. The panel will report directly to the GWR Group Board and its results will be posted on the Classic FM website.

One of the most significant projects Chris Smith was involved with in his time at the DCMS was the drafting of the Communications White Paper, released last year (see White Paper Paves Way For Communications “Revolution”).

Classic FM: 020 7343 9000 www.classicfm.com GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com

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