The Department of Culture, Media and Sport said today that Myers has been named by Communications Minister Lord Carter to lead a review that will "inform the Government's thinking as it looks towards a digital future for radio".
Myers' appointment means he will leave GMG Radio a month earlier than planned, at the end of this month. In October, GMG Radio announced he would leave the company at the end of March, to be replaced by Stuart Taylor, currently deputy chief executive.
The review will consider issues such as the role radio should have in delivering local content, the most effective way to deliver local content via local radio, and, to what extent the current requirements for a predetermined number of hours of local content, and the locality in which content is produced, appropriate.
Last year, Ofcom relaxed its rules for locally produced content on commercial radio. FM stations must broadcast at least 10 hours of locally made shows each weekday during daytime and at least four hours at weekends. AM stations are expected to provide at least four hours of local content seven days a week.
As part of the review, Myers will convene an advisory group to bring together a variety of views. The review will be completed by the end of March.
Carter said: "I am pleased that John Myers has agreed to take forward this review which will be key in informing government's thinking on the future of local radio."
Myers said: "We know that consumers value local content, particularly on local radio, and that successive governments and regulators have sought to secure this through localness rules.
"It is only right that, as we move towards a predominantly digital landscape for radio, we consider the appropriateness of the current rules and how local content should be preserved in the future."
Andrew Harrison, chief executive of commercial radio industry body the RadioCentre, said: "We are very pleased that Lord Carter has understood the need to review the way local radio in the UK is structured and regulated.
"John is a perfect fit to carry out this review; he has great understanding of the sector, how it operates and the challenges it faces - we will work with the industry to ensure that we play our full part in this."
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