China – Ofcom’s sanctions headache

Ofcom’s decision (Bulletin 406) to find China’s state TV station broke fairness and privacy rules by broadcasting the ‘forced confession’ of British former journalist Peter Humphrey (pictured) has thrust the regulator onto the sharp horns of a high profile sanctions… Continue

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Sam Smith, Ofcom and trans people

Ofcom’s decision this week that a presenter on a Monmouthshire local radio station breached the Broadcasting Code, by making derisive remarks about singer Sam Smith coming out as non-binary and wishing to be referred to as “they” rather than he… Continue

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Landmark legal decision on impartiality

The momentous decision in the judicial review case brought by Russian broadcaster RT against Ofcom has not been given the attention it deserves. Hardly surprising in some ways because it was published on 27 March, five days into the UK’s… Continue

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Covid-19 conspiracy theory – Ofcom acts

Ofcom alerted broadcasters it would take quick and firm action against TV or radio channels transmitting harmful and misleading information about coronavirus – and it has followed through on its warning. A guest on the community radio station at Uckfield… Continue

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Covid-19: Guidance to Broadcasters

This is worrying time for broadcasters when they are making numerous programmes – news, current affairs or documentaries – against the clock about this unprecedented and controversial health and economic emergency. When Senior Standards Manager at Ofcom for a decade… Continue

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Ofcom new proposals to protect adults

Ofcom have clearly accepted (without admitting it) that they do not have the statutory powers to introduce the new and totally disproportionate rules in Section Two of the Broadcasting Code they originally proposed in August 2019. These would have imposed… Continue

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