Internet Watch Foundation

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), the self-regulatory body that combats illegal content online, today announced it is recruiting four Non-Executive Directors. These new Board members, who will also be trustees, will join the current non-executive directors to help drive the strategic focus of the IWF’s fight against illegal content.

 

The IWF, established in 1996 by the online industry, is looking for candidates who have already demonstrated a significant level of achievement in media, technology, communications, public affairs, financial management or international relations.

 

Funded by its industry members and the EU, the IWF operates a ‘notice and take-down’ service to alert hosting service providers to criminal content found on their servers and also operates the UK ‘Hotline’ for the public to report potentially illegal online content.

 

The IWF works in partnership with the online industry, the police, Government and the public to minimise the availability of illegal online content, particularly child abuse material, and aims to foster trust and confidence in the internet for UK web users. This dialogue goes beyond the UK and Europe to ensure greater awareness of global issues and responsibilities.

 

This model of self-regulation through partnership has proved highly effective with child abuse content hosted in the UK being reduced from 18% in 1997 to less than 1% by the end of 2003 - a virtual eradication of the material hosted in the UK which is being maintained by the IWF and its effective links with industry.

 

Those interested in applying can find more information at www.iwfboard.co.uk or contact Rockpools: Emma Brooks on 020 7017 0966; John Schless on 020 7017 0950; or David Fielding on 020 7017 0920 quoting ref: IWF001.

 

Closing date for applications is 18th June 2007. Applications must be submitted to Rockpools and not to the IWF directly.

 

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