The Viewers’ Editor
The Viewers' Editor's role is to assess and consider audience comments, concerns and views on Channel 4's output from a position of independence within the Channel and to represent these views where appropriate at editorial and legal and compliance discussions. It is also to provide advice and guidance where appropriate, to the Director of Television & Content and channel heads, on decisions to commission and broadcast programmes on behalf of viewers. The Viewers' Editor also acts as an additional sounding board on sensitive or challenging content decisions before and after broadcast, with particular emphasis on the audience perspective. This will include, but not be limited to, content which might cause or has caused significant offence or concern to the audience. They will also act as another level into existing complaint handling, picking up information from many different sources that already exist within the Channel and outside and acting as a source of intelligence on viewers.
The Viewers' Editor can ask, where necessary, the question "why are we broadcasting this?" even where the view of the editorial team and legal & compliance is that it complies with the Ofcom Code. This role is complementary to the pivotal role played by research & insight and the editorial and legal/compliance process. Consulting or briefing the Viewers' Editor where an issue in a programme may cause or has caused a significant audience reaction will help not only with public accountability but may assist in defending that programme from subsequent complaints to Ofcom. Final editorial control resides with the Director of Television & Content and the Chief Executive.