The chair of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and a former head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland has been appointed a visiting professor in journalism at Strathclyde University, in Glasgow.
Blair Jenkins is also a former director of broadcasting at STV. His appointment coincides with him attending Buckingham Palace today to receive an OBE for services to broadcasting.
In a statement issued by the university, Jenkins is quoted, as saying: “I've been really impressed by the work being done at Strathclyde and their commitment to improving the practice and the principles of journalism. For me, that's a lifelong passion and I look forward to working very closely with the staff and students.”
He began his media career at the Evening Express in Aberdeen and was voted Scottish Press Awards Young Journalist of the Year in 1977. After six years as a BBC News producer, he joined Scottish Television in 1986, later becoming its director of broadcasting.
He returned to the BBC ten years ago as head of news and current affairs, a post he held for six years. He was invited by the Scottish Government in 2007 to chair the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and is currently chair of the Scottish Digital Network Panel.
From 1998 to 2003, Jenkins was chair of BAFTA Scotland.
