= Office of Communications = The '''Office of Communications''' ('''Ofcom''') is a [[UnitedKingdom/EconomicPolicy/Telecoms|telecoms]] regulatory agency. <> ---- == Composition == The office is led by a '''chief executive'''. A board appointed by the '''secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport''' ('''DCMS''') oversees the office. ---- == History == Until the 1970s, [[UnitedKingdom/EconomicPolicy/Telecoms|telecoms]] had been bundled under the purview of the [[UnitedKingdom/EconomicPolicy/Mail|Post Office]]. The industry had been split out to encourage competition, with the '''Office of Telecommunications''' ('''Oftel''') regulating the emerging industry. [[UnitedKingdom/TonyBlair|Blair]] pushed for a reorganization of regulatory and franchising agencies in response to rapid digitization. The '''Office of Communications Act''' in 2002 established the '''Office of Communications''' ('''Ofcom'''). The '''Communications Act''' of the next year moved all Oftel responsibilities to Ofcom. Ofcom has broad powers to censor content that the government opposes and police journalists/new agencies according to the government's standards. In 2019, Ofcom opened an investigation into China Central Television (CCTV). This culminated in 2021 with a substantial fine and revoking their license to broadcast the CGTN channel. ---- CategoryRicottone