Ofcom Broadcasting Code Flashcards
Protecting the Under-Eighteens
Material that could seriously harm those under 18 must not be broadcast.
Broadcasters must take reasonable steps to protect those under 18.
Children (under 15) must be protected by appropriate scheduling.
Television broadcasters must observe the watershed (2100-0530), with stronger material appearing later in the schedule.
Radio broadcasters must consider times when children are likely listening.
Transition to adult material must not be abrupt.
Clear information should be provided about content that may distress some children.
Broadcasters should be careful not to provide clues that may lead to the identification of under-18s involved in sexual offences.
Restrictions apply to featuring illegal drugs, smoking, solvent, and alcohol abuse.
Violence and dangerous behavior must be appropriately limited and justified by context.
The most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed or when children are likely listening.
Material equivalent to BBFC R18-rating cannot be broadcast at any time.
Adult sex material can only be broadcast between 2200 and 0530 on premium subscription services with restricted access.
Representations of sexual intercourse are restricted before the watershed, unless there is a serious educational purpose.
Nudity before the watershed must be justified by context.
No film refused classification by the BBFC may be broadcast.
BBFC 18-rated films cannot be broadcast before 2100.
Demonstrations of exorcisms, occult practices, and the paranormal must not be shown before the watershed.
Due care must be taken over the welfare of people under 18 involved in programs.
Harm and Offence
Generally accepted standards must be applied to protect the public from harmful or offensive material.
Factual programs must not materially mislead the audience.
Material that may cause offense must be justified by the context.
Programs must not condone or glamorize violent, dangerous, or antisocial behavior.
Methods of suicide and self-harm must not be included unless editorially justified and justified by context.
Demonstrations of exorcism, the occult, etc., must be treated with due objectivity.
Hypnotic techniques must be handled responsibly to prevent adverse reactions.
Simulated news must not mislead the audience.
Broadcasters must not use subliminal techniques.
Television broadcasters must take precautions to maintain a low risk to viewers who have photosensitive epilepsy.
Broadcast competitions and voting must be conducted fairly.
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Crime, Disorder, Hatred and Abuse
Material likely to encourage or incite crime or disorder must not be included.
Material containing hate speech must not be included unless justified by context.
Material containing abusive or derogatory treatment must not be included unless justified by context.
Descriptions of criminal techniques must not be broadcast unless editorially justified.
Payments to convicted or confessed criminals for program contributions are restricted.
Payments to witnesses in active criminal proceedings are restricted.
Broadcasters must not broadcast material that could endanger lives or prejudice attempts to deal with a hijack or kidnapping.
Religion
Broadcasters must exercise responsibility regarding the content of religious programs.
Religious programs must not improperly exploit the audience.
Religious programs must not abuse the religious views of others.
The identity of the religion or denomination must be clear.
Religious programs must not promote views by stealth.
Religious programs on television must not seek recruits (except specialist services).
Religious programs must not broadcast claims of special powers when children may be watching, unless claims are treated with objectivity.
Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy
News must be reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Significant mistakes in the news should be acknowledged and corrected quickly.
No politician may be a newsreader, interviewer, or reporter unless editorially justified.
Programs must exclude expressions of views and opinions of the service provider on political or industrial controversy and current public policy.
Due impartiality must be preserved.
Views and facts must not be misrepresented.
Presenters may express their views, but alternative viewpoints must be represented.
Personal view programs must be clearly signaled.
Elections and Referendums
Rules relating to political controversy apply to the coverage of elections and referendums.
Due weight must be given to parties and independent candidates during elections.
Due weight must be given to designated organizations during referendums.
Discussion of election issues must finish when the poll opens.
Broadcasters may not publish the results of any opinion poll on polling day until the election poll closes.
Candidates must not act as news presenters during the election period.
Appearances by candidates in non-political programs may continue, but no new appearances should be arranged.
Fairness
Broadcasters must avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organizations in programs.
Contributors should be told the nature and purpose of the program.
Consent should be obtained from a parent or guardian if a contributor is under 16.
Contributions should be represented fairly.
Guarantees given to contributors should be honored.
Broadcasters should ensure that the reuse of material does not create unfairness.
Broadcasters should take reasonable care to ensure material facts have not been presented, disregarded, or omitted in a way that is unfair.
If a program alleges wrongdoing, those concerned should be given an opportunity to respond.
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Privacy
Broadcasters must avoid any unwarranted infringement of privacy in programs.
Infringement of privacy must be warranted.
Information disclosing a person's home should not be revealed without permission.
People caught up in events still have a right to privacy.
Words, images, or actions filmed in a public place should not be so private that prior consent is required.
Any infringement of privacy should be with consent or be otherwise warranted.
If someone asks filming to stop, the broadcaster should do so unless it is warranted to continue.
Commercial References in Television Programming
Broadcasters must maintain independent editorial control over programming.
Editorial content must be distinct from advertising.
Surreptitious advertising is prohibited.
Products, services, and trademarks must not be promoted.
No undue prominence may be given to a product, service, or trademark.
Product Placement
Product placement is prohibited except in films, series made for television, sports programs, and light entertainment programs.
Product placement is not permitted in news or children's programs.
Product placement must not influence the content of programs.
References to placed products must not be promotional.
Sponsorship
Sponsored programming has some or all of its costs met by a sponsor.
News and current affairs programs must not be sponsored.
A sponsor must not influence the content of a channel.
Commercial references in programming must be transparent to listeners.
Spot advertisements must be clearly separated from programming.
There are four aspects to consider when assessing what signalling is appropriate: Wording, Positioning, Frequency, Identity.
Broadcasters should ensure that broadcast material appearing to be a station campaign or to provide any independent assessment of products/services is genuinely independent and not subject to a commercial arrangement