ofcom broadcasting code

Question 1

section 1: protecting under 18s

Answer 1

material that might impair development of under 18s shouldn’t be broadcast. children to be protected by appropriate scheduling from material unsuitable for them. watershed applies to TV at 9pm.

Question 2

section 2: harm and offence

Answer 2

material which may cause offence should be justified by context. includes offensive language, humiliation, violation of human dignity, discrimination.

Question 3

section 3: crime, disorder, hatred and abuse

Answer 3

material that encourages crime to not be included.

Question 4

section 4: religion

Answer 4

religious shows that have claims a living person has powers must treat the claims with objectivity and shouldn’t be broadcast when children are watching.

Question 5

section 5: due (appropriate to the subject of the programme) impartiality

Answer 5

doesn’t mean an equal amount of time has been given to every view. news should be reported with due accuracy. should be preserved on matters of political controversy and current public policy.

Question 6

section 6: elections and referenda

Answer 6

due weight to be given to coverage of parties/independent candidates during election period. to work out the appropriate level of coverage, broadcasters must consider evidence of past electoral support. due impartiality to be maintained in a constituency report.

Question 7

section 7: fairness

Answer 7

broadcasters should be fair in dealing with contributors unless justified. people should be told the nature of the programme, what it is about, and be told why they were asked on it. ‘informed consent’. fair to withhold info when it’s justified in the public interest.

Question 8

section 8: privacy

Answer 8

infringement of privacy in shows must be warranted with the person’s consent. if privacy is infringed and they ask filming to be stopped, the broadcaster should do so.

Question 9

section 9: commercial references on TV

Answer 9

news must not be sponsored to ensure broadcasters keep editorial independence over programming. there is distinction between editorial content and advertising. protect audiences from advertising and financial harm.

Question 10

section 10: commercial communisations on radio

Answer 10

shows with commercial arrangement should be signalled to ensure it is transparent to listeners. no commercial reference in news bulletins.