Recruitment Drive For New ASA Council Member

05 October 2005

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is looking to recruit a member of the public to serve on the ASA Council – the body responsible for adjudicating on complaints about advertising content.

The ASA is responsible for maintaining standards in advertising, with the Council its decision-making body. Led by the ASA Chairman, Lord Borrie, Q.C., the ASA Council is currently made up of 15 members, two thirds of whom come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds and are independent of the advertising industry. The remaining third have links with the advertising industry. As a current member of the Council is coming to the end of his term of office the post is being advertised to the public through the national press. 

The Council was expanded last year due to the creation of the ‘one-stop shop’ for advertising complaints when the ASA took over day-to-day responsibility for regulating broadcast advertising from Ofcom. The Council consists of two panels which judge either non-broadcast or broadcast complaints. 

Lord Borrie, who is responsible for the appointment of all Council members, said; “The role of an ASA Council member is a challenging, varied and exciting one. We are looking for a member of the public who can engage with sometimes highly controversial and problematic issues and provide balanced judgment around sensitive subject matters. There are many challenges involved in advertising regulation and I hope anyone who is interested in advertising matters will be encouraged to apply.”

To find out more about the role and information on how to apply visit www.asa.org.uk/appointments.