Regulatory Bodies: Ofcom

 Ofcom is the independent regulator for the UK communications industries.

They make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile service, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Broadcasting Code:

The code ensure UK broadcasters maintain high standards in content, fairness, and privacy, covering protextion of children and ensuring transparency in programming and commercial references.

Sections of broadcasating code:

(Section one: Proteting the under-eighteens).

This section outlines the rules around scheduling and content information in programmes with regard to protecting children under the age of eighteen.

Material that might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of people under eighteen must not be broadcasted. Children must also be protected by appropriate schdeduling material that is unsuitable for them.

(Section two: Harm and offence).

This section outlines standards for broadcast content so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from harmful and/or offensive material.

Programmes must not include material (whether in individual programmes or in programmes taken togther) which, taking into account the context, condones or glamorises violence, dangerous or antisocial behaviour.

(Section three: Crime, disorder, hatred or abuse).

This section of the Code covers material that is likelt to incite crime or disorder, reflecting Ofcom's duty to prohibit the broadcast of this type or programming.

There are also rules in this section covering material containing hatred, absuive and derogatory treatment, and portrayls of crime and criminal proceedings. These are relevant to Ofcom's duty to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in television and radio services of offensice and harmful material.

(Section four: Religion)

This section relates to the responsibility if broadcasters with respect to the content of religious programmes.

The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious enomination must not be subject to abusive treatment. Where a religion or religious denomination is the subject, or one of the subjects, of a religious programme, then the identity of the religion and/or demonination must be clear.

(Section 5: Due impartiality and due accuracy).

To ensure that news, in whatever form is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.

 Significant mistakes in news should normally be acknowledged and corrected on air quickly (or in the case of BBC ODPS, corrected quickly.

No politician may be used as a newsreader, interviewer or reporter in any news programmes unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified.