Responsibilities
Ofcom's responsibilities are wide-ranging, covering all manner of industries and processes. It has a statutory duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting consumers from harmful or offensive material. Some of the main areas over which Ofcom presides are licensing, undertaking research, creating codes and policies, addressing complaints and looking into competition. Ofcom has developed a reputation for its tendency to issue a large number of consultations
Sunday 26 April 2009
Wednesday 22 April 2009
ITC PROGRAMME CODE-OFCOM (PART 2)
1.6 Sex and Nudity
Similar considerations apply. Much great fiction and drama have been concerned
with love and passion which can shock and disturb. Popular entertainment and
comedy have always relied to some extent on sexual innuendo and suggestive
behaviour but gratuitous offence should be avoided.
Careful consideration should be given to nudity before the watershed but some nudity
may be justifiable in a non-sexual and relevant context.
Representations of sexual intercourse should not occur before the watershed unless
there is a serious educational purpose. Any portrayal of sexual behaviour must be
defensible in context. If included before the watershed it must be appropriately
limited and inexplicit.Sex scenes of a more adult nature, which are more graphic and prolonged, should be limited to much later in the schedule.
1.7 Violence
It is reasonable for television to reflect "real world violence" but it is clear that the portrayal of violence, whether physical, verbal or psychological, can upset, disturb and offend and can be accused of desensitising viewers, of making them unduly fearful or of encouraging imitation. These arelegitimate public concerns requiring careful consideration whenever violence, real or
simulated, is to be shown. The treatment of violence must always be appropriate to
the context, scheduling, channel and audience expectations.
1.8 Respect for Human Dignity and Treatment of Minorities
Viewers have a right to expect that licensed services will reflect their responsibility to
preserve human dignity, as far as possible, in respect of both individuals (see Section
and individuals as members of groups. Individuals should not be exploited
needlessly or caused unnecessary distress, nor should the audience be made to feel
mere voyeurs of others’ distress.In particular, consideration should be given to the treatment of vulnerable minorities, bearing in mind the likely effects of both misrepresentation and under-representation.
1.9 Hypnotism
Care needs to be taken to minimise the risk of hypnosis being induced in susceptible
viewers. In particular, the hypnotist must not be shown performing straight to camera.
Licensees should refer to the Hypnotism Act 1952 (Appendix 4).
1.10 The Occult and ‘Psychic’ Practices
Actual demonstrations of exorcisms and occult practices such as those involving
supposed contact with spirits or the dead, are not acceptable in factual programming
except in the context of a legitimate investigation. They should not, in any case, be
shown before the watershed.Horoscopes, palmistry and similar ‘psychic’ practices are only acceptable where theyare presented as entertainment or are the subject of legitimate investigation. Theyshould not include specific advice to particular contributors or viewers about health or medical matters or about personal finance. They should not be included at times when
large numbers of children are expected to be watching.Fiction programmes containing ‘psychic’ phenomena should not normally bescheduled before the watershed, although a fantasy setting, for example, may justifysuch scheduling.
1.11 Recorded Programmes
Programmes not used immediately should be checked before transmission to ensure
that any content is not rendered tasteless or offensive by intervening events, such as
death, injury or other misfortune.
1.12 Images of Very Brief Duration
1.12(i) General requirements
Section 6(1)(e) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 requires that the ITC do all it can to secure
that 'programmes do not include any technical device which, by using images of very
brief duration or by any other means, exploits the possibility of conveying a message to,
or otherwise influencing the minds of, persons watching the programmes without their
being aware, or fully aware, of what has occurred'.
Similar considerations apply. Much great fiction and drama have been concerned
with love and passion which can shock and disturb. Popular entertainment and
comedy have always relied to some extent on sexual innuendo and suggestive
behaviour but gratuitous offence should be avoided.
Careful consideration should be given to nudity before the watershed but some nudity
may be justifiable in a non-sexual and relevant context.
Representations of sexual intercourse should not occur before the watershed unless
there is a serious educational purpose. Any portrayal of sexual behaviour must be
defensible in context. If included before the watershed it must be appropriately
limited and inexplicit.Sex scenes of a more adult nature, which are more graphic and prolonged, should be limited to much later in the schedule.
1.7 Violence
It is reasonable for television to reflect "real world violence" but it is clear that the portrayal of violence, whether physical, verbal or psychological, can upset, disturb and offend and can be accused of desensitising viewers, of making them unduly fearful or of encouraging imitation. These arelegitimate public concerns requiring careful consideration whenever violence, real or
simulated, is to be shown. The treatment of violence must always be appropriate to
the context, scheduling, channel and audience expectations.
1.8 Respect for Human Dignity and Treatment of Minorities
Viewers have a right to expect that licensed services will reflect their responsibility to
preserve human dignity, as far as possible, in respect of both individuals (see Section
and individuals as members of groups. Individuals should not be exploited
needlessly or caused unnecessary distress, nor should the audience be made to feel
mere voyeurs of others’ distress.In particular, consideration should be given to the treatment of vulnerable minorities, bearing in mind the likely effects of both misrepresentation and under-representation.
1.9 Hypnotism
Care needs to be taken to minimise the risk of hypnosis being induced in susceptible
viewers. In particular, the hypnotist must not be shown performing straight to camera.
Licensees should refer to the Hypnotism Act 1952 (Appendix 4).
1.10 The Occult and ‘Psychic’ Practices
Actual demonstrations of exorcisms and occult practices such as those involving
supposed contact with spirits or the dead, are not acceptable in factual programming
except in the context of a legitimate investigation. They should not, in any case, be
shown before the watershed.Horoscopes, palmistry and similar ‘psychic’ practices are only acceptable where theyare presented as entertainment or are the subject of legitimate investigation. Theyshould not include specific advice to particular contributors or viewers about health or medical matters or about personal finance. They should not be included at times when
large numbers of children are expected to be watching.Fiction programmes containing ‘psychic’ phenomena should not normally bescheduled before the watershed, although a fantasy setting, for example, may justifysuch scheduling.
1.11 Recorded Programmes
Programmes not used immediately should be checked before transmission to ensure
that any content is not rendered tasteless or offensive by intervening events, such as
death, injury or other misfortune.
1.12 Images of Very Brief Duration
1.12(i) General requirements
Section 6(1)(e) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 requires that the ITC do all it can to secure
that 'programmes do not include any technical device which, by using images of very
brief duration or by any other means, exploits the possibility of conveying a message to,
or otherwise influencing the minds of, persons watching the programmes without their
being aware, or fully aware, of what has occurred'.
Tuesday 21 April 2009
Reply From Ofcom
To Mr. Jones,
I have considered your feelings regarding the "Padeogeddon" documentary, and would like to take this time to apoligise to you and any others who may have found it offensive in anyway whatsoever.
On the contrary, this parody-style documentary was not intended to offend in anyway, and its purpose was to actually mock the media, and not paedophelia itself. the people responsible for creating the programme have covered many serious issues, (i.e drugs) and their aim is to state how the media seem to take issues and expose them in as much light as possible. Take the Joseph Fritzel case; its maximum media coverage almost suggests its a positive subject, and i would like to ask you if something so serious and wrong should be so advertised. If anything, it should be swept under the carpet.
As well as this, i emphasise that OFCOM technically has no rules to suggest such a programme is not suitable for television. As odd as this sounds it breaks no rules; it was aired after 9pm and has suitable language and content that as a visual experience should not offend.
I completly understand your concerns and have taken them seriously, and i again apoligise for any offence caused, and i shall take it upon myself to see if i can rule out any future broadcasting of these innappropriate programmes.
Yours Sincerely,
Kilroy (Ofcom, Head of Dep)
I have considered your feelings regarding the "Padeogeddon" documentary, and would like to take this time to apoligise to you and any others who may have found it offensive in anyway whatsoever.
On the contrary, this parody-style documentary was not intended to offend in anyway, and its purpose was to actually mock the media, and not paedophelia itself. the people responsible for creating the programme have covered many serious issues, (i.e drugs) and their aim is to state how the media seem to take issues and expose them in as much light as possible. Take the Joseph Fritzel case; its maximum media coverage almost suggests its a positive subject, and i would like to ask you if something so serious and wrong should be so advertised. If anything, it should be swept under the carpet.
As well as this, i emphasise that OFCOM technically has no rules to suggest such a programme is not suitable for television. As odd as this sounds it breaks no rules; it was aired after 9pm and has suitable language and content that as a visual experience should not offend.
I completly understand your concerns and have taken them seriously, and i again apoligise for any offence caused, and i shall take it upon myself to see if i can rule out any future broadcasting of these innappropriate programmes.
Yours Sincerely,
Kilroy (Ofcom, Head of Dep)
TODAYS LESSON! 21/04/09
THE ANGRY LETTER TO OFCOM ABOUT PAEDOGEDDON! LOL
To whom this may concern,
I am writing in regards to the programme titled "Paedogedden", recently aired on one of your channels, and wish to complain about the ridiculous and indescent content it contained.
Displaying such a serious issue in this comical way is disgraceful, and offensive to not only me, but to anyone with children or works with children.
I found the exposure of the young girl's breast particularly discomforting, and if this is meant to be a joke, i suggest you explain that to the millions of people who tune into your programmes, as i am certain their opinions are similar to mine.
I also believe that the celebrities shown in this "documentary" must have been tricked into doing this. Perhaps they should have seen that it wasn't quite normal and questioned their purpose, but any celebrity fully aware of what they were actually doing would be disgraced with themselves and you, and would not have exploited such a sensitive subject.
I believe that you want this to be taken light-hearted and not serious; but you would be wrong. i speak for parents or children who'ce ever experienced at peadophilic incident that this glamorising of criminal behaviour and vunrebale children is disgusting. I urge strongly that you apoligise for what you have done, and perhaps next time you reconsider what you put on T.V.
Whether you have children or not, i think you need to understand what a mistake you have made.
Yours Sincerely,
George Jones
To whom this may concern,
I am writing in regards to the programme titled "Paedogedden", recently aired on one of your channels, and wish to complain about the ridiculous and indescent content it contained.
Displaying such a serious issue in this comical way is disgraceful, and offensive to not only me, but to anyone with children or works with children.
I found the exposure of the young girl's breast particularly discomforting, and if this is meant to be a joke, i suggest you explain that to the millions of people who tune into your programmes, as i am certain their opinions are similar to mine.
I also believe that the celebrities shown in this "documentary" must have been tricked into doing this. Perhaps they should have seen that it wasn't quite normal and questioned their purpose, but any celebrity fully aware of what they were actually doing would be disgraced with themselves and you, and would not have exploited such a sensitive subject.
I believe that you want this to be taken light-hearted and not serious; but you would be wrong. i speak for parents or children who'ce ever experienced at peadophilic incident that this glamorising of criminal behaviour and vunrebale children is disgusting. I urge strongly that you apoligise for what you have done, and perhaps next time you reconsider what you put on T.V.
Whether you have children or not, i think you need to understand what a mistake you have made.
Yours Sincerely,
George Jones
ITC PROGRAMME CODE-OFCOM
Ofcom creat specific rules and regulations on TV that suit and satisfy the audiences and their morales, ages etc. In brief form, their rules are:
1. Section One: Family Viewing Policy, Offence to Good Taste and Decency, Portrayal of Violence and Respect for Human Dignity
1.1 General Requirment
Section 6 (1) Requires that the ITC does all it can to
secure that every licensed service includes nothing in its programmes which offends
against good taste or decency or is likely to encourage or incite to crime or lead to
disorder or be offensive to public feeling.
Section 7 (1)(a) Requires the ITC create a code as guidance to the suitability of the showing of violence, particularly when children and young people may be expected to be wacthing their prorammes. to ensure freedom from complaints they provide guidance and warnings to ensure the audience are aware of the potential unneccessary material boradcasted in their programmes
1.2 Family Viewing Policy and the Watershed
Material unsuitable for children must not be transmitted at times when large numbers
of children may be expected to be watching.
However the ITC accepts that, even though some children are always likely to be
present in the audience, the likelihood varies according to the time, subject matter and
channel. The ITC's Family Viewing Policy usually reccomends 9pm is the fixed time up to which licensees are responsible for ensuring that nothing is shown that is unsuitable for children. The
earlier in the evening a programme is shown, the greater the care required.
"Children" are classed as up to 15, whereas young persons are considered 16 to 17
1.3 Information, Advice and Warnings
Licensees should consider whether any elements of programming might disturb
viewers, in particular younger children. Appropriate information should be provided
at the start of any programme, or news report, which might disturb younger children. Although these may be inappropriate before the watershed, clear and specific warnings should be
clear and specific warnings should be employed where there is the liklehood that some viewers may find the programme disturbing or offensive
1.4 Feature Films and Other Acquired Material
Where a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) Classification exists for the
version of a film or programme proposed for transmission, it should be used as a guide
to scheduling. A BBFC video classification, rather than the cinema classification,
should always be the guide where one exists.
1.5 Bad Language
There is no absolute ban on the use of bad language. But many people are offended,
some of them deeply, by the use of bad language, including expletives with a religious
(and not only Christian) association. Offence is most likely if the language is contrary
to audience expectation. Bad language must be defensible in terms of context and
scheduling with warnings where appropriate.
1. Section One: Family Viewing Policy, Offence to Good Taste and Decency, Portrayal of Violence and Respect for Human Dignity
1.1 General Requirment
Section 6 (1) Requires that the ITC does all it can to
secure that every licensed service includes nothing in its programmes which offends
against good taste or decency or is likely to encourage or incite to crime or lead to
disorder or be offensive to public feeling.
Section 7 (1)(a) Requires the ITC create a code as guidance to the suitability of the showing of violence, particularly when children and young people may be expected to be wacthing their prorammes. to ensure freedom from complaints they provide guidance and warnings to ensure the audience are aware of the potential unneccessary material boradcasted in their programmes
1.2 Family Viewing Policy and the Watershed
Material unsuitable for children must not be transmitted at times when large numbers
of children may be expected to be watching.
However the ITC accepts that, even though some children are always likely to be
present in the audience, the likelihood varies according to the time, subject matter and
channel. The ITC's Family Viewing Policy usually reccomends 9pm is the fixed time up to which licensees are responsible for ensuring that nothing is shown that is unsuitable for children. The
earlier in the evening a programme is shown, the greater the care required.
"Children" are classed as up to 15, whereas young persons are considered 16 to 17
1.3 Information, Advice and Warnings
Licensees should consider whether any elements of programming might disturb
viewers, in particular younger children. Appropriate information should be provided
at the start of any programme, or news report, which might disturb younger children. Although these may be inappropriate before the watershed, clear and specific warnings should be
clear and specific warnings should be employed where there is the liklehood that some viewers may find the programme disturbing or offensive
1.4 Feature Films and Other Acquired Material
Where a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) Classification exists for the
version of a film or programme proposed for transmission, it should be used as a guide
to scheduling. A BBFC video classification, rather than the cinema classification,
should always be the guide where one exists.
1.5 Bad Language
There is no absolute ban on the use of bad language. But many people are offended,
some of them deeply, by the use of bad language, including expletives with a religious
(and not only Christian) association. Offence is most likely if the language is contrary
to audience expectation. Bad language must be defensible in terms of context and
scheduling with warnings where appropriate.
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