Ian Walden (pictured) is Professor of Information and Communications Law at Queen Mary, University of London, and has a distinguished record as a legal academic. He joins the Commission with immediate effect following the expiry of a term of office by Colleen Harris, former Director of Strategy and Communications at the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Baroness Buscombe said: "I have always believed it to be essential that the PCC board includes a majority of lay members who have a wide range of experience in public life. I am delighted that Professor Walden will be joining the PCC with his highly relevant experience of considering complex media and policy issues. He brings a tremendous knowledge, experience and intelligence which will contribute greatly to the work of the Commission".
Professor Walden said: "The PCC provides a crucial alternative to the courts, which is freely available to the general public. I firmly believe that the current system of self regulation - which is defined by its flexibility - is the most appropriate way for the press to be regulated, particularly in a time of increasing media convergence. I am delighted to have been appointed to the Board as a public member and am looking forward to playing an active role in its decisions".
Public, or 'lay', members of the Commission are appointed by an independent Appointments Commission, following public advertisement and interview.
There are seventeen members of the Commission. Ten members - including the Chairman - are lay Commissioners who have no connection to the industry, while seven are drawn from among the ranks of senior editors in the national and regional press, and from periodicals.
In addition to his role at Queen Mary, Professor Walden is a consultant to the law firm Baker & McKenzie and is a Board Member of the Internet Watch Foundation. He has acted as adviser to a number of institutions, including the European Commission, the World Bank and the House of Lords. He has also advised several national governments on law reform initiatives.
