Broadcast regulation Flashcards
1
Q
What is OFCOM?
A
- Statutory regulator for broadcasting
- Established by Comms Act
- Broad remit covers telecoms, infrastructure, broadcast rollout, media literacy, researching media consumption- and handling complaints about broadcast content
- Can censure broadcasters, fine them or close them down
- Adjudications published in broadcast bulletins to be found on OFCOM website
2
Q
What’s Sec 1 of broadcast code?
A
Protecting u18s
3
Q
Sec 2 of broadcasting code?
A
Harm and offence
4
Q
Sec 3 of broadcast code?
A
Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse
5
Q
Sec 4 of broadcast code?
A
Religion
6
Q
Sec 5 of broadcast code?
A
Due impartiality and due accuracy
7
Q
Sec 6 of broadcast code?
A
Elections and referendums
8
Q
Sec 7 of broadcast code?
A
Fairness
9
Q
Sec 8 of broadcast code?
A
Privacy
10
Q
Sec 9&10 of broadcast code?
A
Commercial references
11
Q
Describe Sec 1 (Protecting U18s) of broadcast code
A
- 1.1/1.2- material harmful to children must not be broadcast and broadcasters must take all reasonable steps to protect children
- 1.3- children must be protected by scheduling
- Watershed- harmful material must be broadcast after 9pm on TV
- 1.28- ensure welfare and the dignity of children taking part in programmes
- 1.29- must not be caused by unjustified distress or anxiety
12
Q
Describe Sec 2 (Harm and offence) of the broadcast code
A
- Factual and news programmes or items or portrayals of factual matters must not materially mislead the audience
- This overlaps with Sec 5 re news “Due impartiality and accuracy”
- 2.1- generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of TV and radio services to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material
- 2.3- broadcasters must ensure offensive material is justified by context
- Offensive lang
- Violence
- Sex/sexual violence
- Humiliation
- Distress
- Violation of human dignity
- Discriminatory treatment
- 2.4- material shouldn’t condone or glamorise violent, dangerous or seriously antisocial behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour
- 2.5- methods of suicide and self-harm must not be included unless editorially justified by the context
13
Q
List some things that justify context
A
- Editorial content of the programmes or series
- The service on which the material is broadcast
- The time of broadcast
- What other programmes are scheduled before and after
- The degree or harm or offence likely to be caused
- The likely size and composition of the potential audience and likely expectation of the audience
- The extent to which the nature of the content can be brought to the attention of the potential audience for example by giving info
- The effect of the material on viewers or listeners who may come across it unaware
14
Q
Describe Sec 3 (crime, disorder, hatred and abuse)
A
- Aimed at ensuring material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder isn’t included in TV or radio services
- 3.1-3.7- on material regarding the commission of crime or disorder, descriptions of criminal techniques and payments to criminals and witnesses
- 3.2- covers broadcasting of hate speech
- 3.3- “Material which contains abusive or derogatory treatment of individuals, groups, religions, or communities, must not be included in TV and radio services except where it is justified by the context”
15
Q
Describe Sec 4 (religion) of the broadcast code
A
- Aimed at ensuring broadcasters responsibility with respect to the content of the religious programmes
- To ensure that religious programmes do not involve any improper exploitation of any susceptibilities of the audience for such a programme
- To ensure no abusive treatment of the religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination
- 4.1-4.7- on the responsibilities of broadcasters in relation to religious programmes, including the need to avoid abusive treatment
- 4.7 states “religious programmes that contain claims that a living person has a special power or abilities must treat such claims with due objectivity and must not broadcast such claims when significant numbers of children may be expected to be watching.”