David Elstein is a former chair of openDemocracy's board. Previously he launched Channel 5 as its chief executive, worked for BSkyB as head of programming, was director of programmes at Thames Television, managing director of Primetime Productions and managing director of Brook Productions.
His career as a producer/director started at the BBC in 1964, and his production credits include 'The World At War', This Week, Panorama, Weekend World, A Week In Politics, 'Nosenko' and 'Concealed Enemies'.
He has been a visiting professor at the universities of Westminster, Stirling and Oxford. He has also chaired Sparrowhawk Media, the British Screen Advisory Council, the Commercial Radio Companies Association, Really Useful Theatres, XSN plc, Sports Network Group, Silicon Media Group, Civilian Content plc and the National Film and Television School. He was also a director of Virgin Media Inc, Marine Track Holdings plc and Kingsbridge Capital Advisors.
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Published in: Home: OpinionEmily Maitlis’ version of impartiality would have destroyed the BBCThe ex-BBC star called board member Robbie Gibb a Tory ‘agent’. Reality is more complex
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Published in: openDemocracyUK: OpinionChannel 4: Is there value in privatisation?An industry veteran explains why fears for the broadcaster may be misplaced
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Published in: openDemocracyUK: OpinionMartin Bashir and Princess Diana: The BBC's latest entirely avoidable crisisAn inquiry into the 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana highlights that the BBC must be made accountable to Ofcom
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Published in: openDemocracyUK: AnalysisWhy the UK’s system of government is vastly superior to the European UnionBritish governments can survive only if they enjoy a majority in the Commons. In the EU, by contrast, executives are...
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Published in: Can Europe Make It?: AnalysisHow all-powerful institutions keep Europe in gridlockThe European Union’s ruling bodies have always shamelessly grabbed power to themselves and away from the people –...
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Published in: Can Europe Make It?: AnalysisHow the European Union has always preferred power grabs to democracyA series of ‘coups’ across decades allowed European institutions to take more and more power, always undermining the...