(Adds background)
LONDON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris
Johnson wants to appoint two Brexit-backing critics of the BBC
to important roles in the media, including one as chairman of
the publicly owned broadcaster itself, the Times reported on
Saturday.
The newspaper said Johnson had asked Charles Moore, a former
editor of the Daily Telegraph, to become the chairman of the BBC
and wanted Paul Dacre, a former editor of the Daily Mail, to be
chairman of media regulator Ofcom.
"This is part of a process of the prime minister putting
allies in key positions," the newspaper quoted one source close
to Johnson as saying.
Moore and Dacre both led right-wing dailies and have accused
the BBC of a left-wing bias and a willingness to go beyond its
core remit of providing public service broadcasting. The BBC has
denied the criticism.
The BBC is widely respected globally but it has clashed with
members of Johnson's governing Conservative Party who accuse it
of being out of touch with the country, particularly over
Britain's departure from the European Union.
Ofcom regulates the British media industry, including the
BBC.
(Reporting by Kate Holton; Editing by Timothy Heritage
Editing by Alison Williams)