Ofcom Broadcasting Code

Question 1

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Protecting under-18s

Answer 1

• To ensure that people under eighteen are protected.
• Material that might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of people under 18 must not be broadcast.
• Children must also be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them.
• Children are people under the age of 15 years.
• The watershed only applies to television.
• The watershed is at
  2100.
• Material unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before 2100 or after 0530.

Question 2

Section 2: Harm and Offence

Answer 2

• To ensure that generally accepted standards are applied to the content of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
• Such material may include, but is not limited to, offensive language, violence, sex, sexual violence, humiliation, distress, violation of human dignity, discriminatory treatment or language (for example on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, and marriage and civil partnership)

Question 3

Section 3: Crime, Disorder, Hatred and Abuse

Answer 3

• To ensure that material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder is not included in television or radio services.
• Such material may include, but is not limited to, offensive language, violence, sex, sexual violence, humiliation, distress, violation of human dignity, discriminatory treatment or language (for example on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, and marriage and civil partnership)

Question 4

Religion

Answer 4

Treating religious views with respect.

Question 5

Section 5: Due Impartiality

Answer 5

Ensuring news is reported fairly and accurately.

Question 6

Section 6: Election & Referenda

Answer 6

Ensuring fair coverage of political parties and candidates.

Question 7

Section 7: Fairness

Answer 7

Avoiding unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organizations

Question 8

Section 8: Privacy

Answer 8

Protecting individuals’ privacy.

Question 9

Section 9: Commercial References on TV

Answer 9

• To ensure that broadcasters maintain editorial independence and control over programming (editorial independence).
• To ensure that there is distinction between editorial and advertising (distinction).
• To protect audiences from surreptitious advertising (transparency),
• To ensure that audiences are protected from the risk of financial harm (consumer protection).
• To ensure that unsuitable sponsorship is prevented (unsuitable sponsorship)
• News and current affairs programmes must not be sponsored.

Question 10

Section 10: Commercial Communication on Radio

Answer 10

-To ensure the transparency of commercial communications as a means to secure consumer protection.