Formal controls of the media✅

Although the media include Britain as formally free to report whatever they like, and the government has no power in normal times to stop the spreading of any opinions by using censorship, there are some formal limits to this freedom.

The Law

  • The law restricts media’s freedom to report anything they choose in any way they like. Examples:

  • Laws of libel forbid the publication of an untrue statement about a person which might bring him or her into contempt, ridicule, dislike or hostility in society.

  • Racial and Religious Hatred Act (2006) and the Equality Act (2010) forbid the expression of opinions which will encourage hatred or discrimination against people because of their ethnic group or religious beliefs.

  • Defence and Security Media Advisory Notices (DMSA-Notices) are issued by the government as requests to journalists not to report defence and counter-terrorist information which the government believes might be damaging to national security.

Ofcom

  • In 2003, the Office of Communications was established as a powerful media regulator, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communication services, they have many responsibilities..

  • Furthering the interests of consumers, securing the best use of the radio spectrum, protecting the public from any offensive or potentially harmful effects of broadcast media, safeguarding people from being unfairly treated, ensuring that a wide range of media are available in the UK, with high-quality services having a broad appeal.

The BBC

  • Established by a Royal Charter and is a largely state-funded body, which is governed by the BBC Trust.

  • The Trust sets the strategic direction of the BBC and has a clear duty to represent the interests of licence fee-payers and to ensure the BBC remains independent, and resists pressure and influence from any source.

Independent Broadcasting

  • Includes all the non-BBC television and radio stations.

  • These are regulated by Ofcom, which licenses the companies which can operate in the private sector, and is responsible for the amount and quality of advertising an programmes on independent television and radio, and for dealing with complaints.

Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)

  • An independent regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK.

  • IPSO seeks to monitor and maintain the standards of journalism set out in what is known as the Editors’ Code of Practice, which deals with issues such as accuracy, invasion of privacy, intrusion into grief or shock and harassment.

  • IPSO considers and investigates complaints about the content of newspapers that breach acceptable standards, and the behaviour of journalists.

How governments influence and control media output

  1. Official government press conferences and briefings of journalists

  2. Leaks and off-the-record briefings

  3. Government spin doctors

  4. Refusal to issue broadcasting licenses to those whom it deems are unfit and unsuitable

  5. Refusal to allow the use of some forms of computer software

  6. Electronic surveillance of emails