Broadcasting campaigner dies at 86

BBC director general Tony Hall was among those who paid tribute to her work.

Mrs Hay founded the campaign group in 1983 to give listeners a say in broadcasting matters, and remained its president until her death on Tuesday.

She was a freelance writer and broadcaster, as well as spending time in public relations and directing a media training agency, before setting up what was then called Voice Of The Listener in response to a threat to turn BBC Radio 4 into an all news and current affairs network. The organisation changed its name in 1991.

Mrs Hay was honoured with a European women of achievement award for her work, as well as a CBE, and she went on to become president of the European Alliance of Listeners’ & Viewers’ Associations for 12 years, and additionally held roles on media advisory panels and steering groups.

Lord Hall said: “Jocelyn Hay had a huge impact on broadcasting in this country. She never stopped campaigning for better quality programmes and for all broadcasters to put their audiences first.”