Carter and ITV: a conflict of interest?

(From Guardian Unlimited)

Stephen Carter is believed to be lined up as ITV chief executive when Charles Allen steps down - but the move faces many difficulties.

The timing of Carter's departure from media watchdog Ofcom - he has now left his job as chief executive and can take up new work from December - has only intensified the speculation.

But many in the media are disquieted by the potential conflict of interest if he were appointed to the ITV job.

This would particularly be the case if his righthand man at Ofcom, Ed Richards, becomes the regulator's new boss, as many people think he will.

"It's a very interesting one," says …