David Webster, 72; BBC Official Aided Ex-East Bloc Stations

David Webster, 72, a former high-ranking BBC official who helped former Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe develop independent broadcasting services, died Wednesday of heart failure at his home in Washington.

Webster, who was married to journalist and author Elizabeth Drew, was founder and chairman of the Trans Atlantic Dialogue on Broadcasting and the Information Society, which he created in 1988 to promote debate on broadcasting and informational issues between Europe and the U.S.

With the collapse of communism, Webster’s dialogue group played a key role in formulating broadcasting regulations that would guarantee a free flow of information for the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Macedonia.

Born in Taunton, England, Webster attended Ruskin College at Oxford University and joined the BBC in 1953 as a trainee. He edited its key television current affairs program, “Panorama,” from 1967 to 1969.

He served as the BBC’s representative in the United States from 1971 to 1976, then returned to England to become controller of information services and acting secretary of the corporation.

He was named director of public affairs with a seat on the board of management in 1977 and returned to the U.S. in 1981 as BBC resident director. He continued as a member of the BBC’s board of management until 1985.