The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has appointed Dr Samir Shah, an Indian-origin media professional, as the new chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Shah was previously the head of the news outlet’s current affairs and political programs. Here’s all you need to know about Shah, who also owns and operates Juniper, an independent radio and television production firm. The news comes nearly eight months after the resignation of the previous BBC head, Richard Sharp, due to a political controversy. In April, Sharp stepped down after a probe revealed he failed to disclose his involvement in arranging a loan of nearly $1 million to Boris Johnson while he was the UK prime minister.
Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens, a BBC board member, took over as acting chairwoman when he left. The 71-year-old was born in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad in 1952 and went to England from India in 1960. With over 40 years of experience in journalism and television production, the Oxford University alumnus is also a race relations expert. In 2019, the late Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to heritage and broadcasting.
“The BBC is one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power,” he said
On Wednesday, UK Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer confirmed Shah’s appointment as the new chairman of the BBC. “He has a clear ambition to see the BBC succeed in a rapidly changing media landscape,” said Frazer in a statement. “I have no doubt he will provide the support and scrutiny that the BBC needs to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future,” she said in a statement. In response to the news, Shah expressed his satisfaction at being chosen as the government’s preferred candidate for BBC head. “I look forward to the upcoming pre-appointment hearing with the Select Committee,” Shah said in a statement.
“The BBC is one of the greatest contributions we have made to global culture and one of our strongest calling cards on soft power,” he said. As BBC chairperson, the 71-year-old will work three days per week and earn $201,000 per year. He will be in charge of safeguarding and upholding the taxpayer-funded license fee-operated broadcaster, as well as ensuring that the BBC meets its mission to “inform, educate, and entertain.” Furthermore, Shah will oversee negotiations with the UK government regarding the future of the license fee.