We collaborate with leading industry specialists to provide additional support and protection for producers and filmmakers

REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS

Chris Banatvala was the founding Director of Standards at Ofcom and a member of its statutory Content Board. He drafted Ofcom’s first Broadcasting Code (and subsequent editions) and led the enforcement and policy development of broadcasting and video-on-demand standards, including investigations and sanctions on editorial and advertising matters.

Originally a political journalist with Channel 4 News, Chris now advises broadcasters, tech firms, production companies, international regulators and governments. His clients include the BBC, CNN, Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix.

Widely recognised as a leading expert in broadcast and video-on-demand standards and policy, Chris recently appeared as an expert witness in the Adams -v- BBC defamation case and collaborated with Creators Counsel in advising the producers of Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone in relation to the BBC Editorial Review of the programme. His expertise spans content regulation and standards (editorial and advertising), complaint handling, commercial activities within programmes, compliance with UK and EU legislation and Ofcom codes, governance and regulatory best practice, public policy and on-line protection. He advises on the future of content regulation including the Media Act 2024. Chris has conducted a number of high-profile reviews and inquiries for broadcasters. He is also an independent member of the Sky News Board and the Online Independent Complaints Reviewer for Channel 4.