Channel 4 has appointed Amali de Silva as its new Controller of Legal & Compliance.
De Silva will lead Channel 4’s legal & compliance team who provide legal and regulatory advice on programme content and corporate issues. She reports to Martin Baker, Director of Commercial Affairs.
She will join Channel 4 in the autumn, replacing outgoing General Counsel Prash Naik who is moving to Sydney with his family. Naik, who has worked at Channel 4 for almost 23 years, will continue to advise TV and film producers in both London and Sydney.
Currently a ligation consultant at Wiggin LLP, de Silva’s expertise includes defamation, privacy/breachof confidence, data protection, contempt, copyright and format disputes, specialising in the TV and publishing sectors.
Across her 12 years at Wiggin LLP, de Silva has advised broadcasters, production companies, newspapers and other publishers across a range of media litigation from pre-publication injunction threats to regulatory issues. She has worked on high profile cases such as successfully defending Channel 4 against a libel claim by Andrew Wakefield.
Before Wiggin, de Silva worked in litigation roles at Olswang and D J Freeman.
Baker said: “Amali brings an abundance of media litigation expertise to this important role having advised on a wide range of challenging issues right across the industry including many complex Channel 4 cases. Her leadership and professionalism will be valuable to the Channel 4 Executive and Board and I’m delighted to welcome her to the team.”
De Silva said: “Having worked closely with Channel 4 for many years, and as a great admirer of its commitment to risk-taking, innovation and diversity, I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to help achieve those aims and lead a legal & compliance team which already has an unparalleled reputation for excellence within the industry.”
Staff Reporter
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