Media Law 25: Ofcom Flashcards

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1
Q

difference between Ofcom and PCC

[1]

A
  • statutory vs self-regulation
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2
Q

reason Ofcom is statutory

[2]

A
  • moving images are riskier / more direct

- state control of analogue channels

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3
Q

when was Ofcom created?

[2]

A
  • Communications Act 2003

- Ofcom brought in 2005

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4
Q

what does the BBC have instead of parts of Ofcom Code

[1]

A
  • BBC Editorial Guidelines
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5
Q

who is Ofcom beholden to?

[2]

A
  • independent of Government

- accountable to Parliament

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6
Q

what are Ofcom’s main roles?

[3]

A
  • issue licences
  • set standards
  • deal with complaints
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7
Q

what sanctions can Ofcom use?

[5]

A
  • forbid repeat broadcast of programme
  • force channel to issue apology / Ofcom-written statement
  • fine up to £250,000 (BBC and S4C) OR 5% of ‘qualifying revenue’
  • shorten or revoke licence to broadcast (serious and repeated offences)
  • find the matter resolved and no further action needed
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8
Q

harm and offence in Ofcom

[4]

A
  • offensive material must be justified in context
  • factual programmes should not ‘materially mislead’ viewers
  • methods of suicide/self-harm must be justified in contex
  • simulated news broadcasts must not seem like the real news
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9
Q

rules about impartiality and accuracy in news programmes

[3]

A
  • news should be presented with ‘due impartiality’ (depending on content, this may not necessarily mean each side gets an equal voice…)
  • errors should be corrected as soon as possible
  • never use politician as interviewer/presenter/reporter unless justified (then allegiance must be stated)
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10
Q

special rules for ‘matters of political or industry controversy, or matters of current public policy’
[8]

A
  • don’t express broadcaster’s own view
  • due impartiality (but can be over multiple shows)
  • views and facts must not be misrepresented
  • make presenter/reporter’s interests known
  • presenters/reporters can put over their views, but must be balanced by others
  • presenters appearing regularly must not use this as an advantage over due impartiality
  • phone-in presenters must encourage alternative views
  • ‘personal view’ programmes must be indicated as such from the start
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11
Q

rules for referendum/election

[7]

A
  • due weight to ‘designated organisations’, and appropriate coverage to other ‘permitted participants’
  • candidates must not act as newsreaders, etc.
  • no arranging for candidates to appear on non-political programmes (applies after election period begins)
  • reports must use due impartiality (although if one side refuses to show, it can still go ahead)
  • reports on constituencies must mention candidates names OR parties (depending on geographical size)
  • all discussion ends when polling stations open
  • no opinion poll results broadcast on polling day
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12
Q

rules about being fair

[10]

A
  • be fair to contributors
  • inform contributors
  • parent/guardian permission for under 16s / not in permission to give consent
  • edit fairly
  • honour guarantees (e.g. anonymity, confidentiality, content of programme, etc.)
  • reuse content fairly
  • present facts fairly
  • give ‘appropriate and timely’ chance to respond to allegations
  • if people don’t appear, you should state this and give person’s excuse
  • if someone doesn’t take part, their view should still be represented
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