By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-18 10:46:26 | Updated at 2024-12-18 14:01:29
3 hours ago
Ofcom has apologised after an employee posted an “ill-judged” job advert about monitoring pornographic websites for illegal content online.
The post, which was uploaded five days ago to LinkedIn by Joe W., has since had to be amended by the media regulator after critics said it “trivialised” violence against women and girls.
It read: “Always wanted to work in porn but don't have the feet for an OnlyFans? Now is your chance.”
The post for the role was subsequently amended to the following: “I want to hold my hands up and apologise for the tone of the post below. My team does really important work holding online pornography services to account and to continue to do that, we need to recruit more excellent people.”
Ofcom has apologised after an employee posted an 'ill-judged' job advert
PA
The new revised post
Kidron told the BBC: “Ofcom does not understand their role, they are all we have between us and the most powerful companies in the world, we need grown-ups who want results that change people's lives for the better.”
Professor Claire McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of pornography, sexual violence and online abuse, said that she was shocked to see that so many Ofcom employees like the original post.
She said around 30 other employees - including senior management - engaged with the advert.
McGlynn told The Telegraph: “It impacts Ofcom’s general reputation but for me, it sends a worrying signal about the lack of determination to actively challenge the pornography industry – that’s the problem. It’s deeply concerning. It made light of what is a very serious row and it troubled me.”
Baroness Kidron said she had been forwarded the advert 'dozens of times' by concerned individuals
UK Parliament
Professor Claire McGlynn said around 30 other employees - including senior management - engaged with the post
PA
Gemma Kelly, the head of policy and public affairs at human rights charity Cease said that it was “completely reprehensible” that someone at Ofcom - a regulator of harmful content - made light of the sex industry.
She said it was an industry that “normalises violence against women, monetises sexual assault and encourages objectification”.
The individual who posted the job update “manages a team responsible for engagement with online pornography services”.
