Forgan, Liz (1944–)
Forgan, Liz (1944–)
Scottish journalist. Name variations: Elizabeth Forgan. Born Elizabeth Anne Lucy Forgan in 1944 in Calcutta, India, where Scottish father was posted in army; attended Benenden School in England, then Oxford University.
One of the most powerful women in British broadcast journalism, worked initially as journalist with English-language newspaper in Tehran and then Hampstead and Highgate Express in London; served as chief leader-writer on Evening Standard (1974–78); after being appointed women's editor at The Guardian, initially saw position as something to be endured but then quickly learned about women's issues and developed strong feminist commitment; became commissioning editor of factual output for Channel 4 Television (1981); introduced controversial programs that allowed broad range of opinion, such as "Right to Reply"; took over the powerful position of Director of Programs (1988); left Channel 4 to become managing director of BBC Network Radio, bringing creative vitality to BBC's 5 national radio stations; left position with BBC because of her opposition to Sir John Birt's ultimately unsuccessful attempt to merge radio and tv into one giant news-gathering source; set up media consultancy. Given Order of British Empire (OBE, 1999).