Wanted: no sex at 9.03pm
There is another clear example in Ofcom’s latest Bulletin (published 4 December 2017) of why the 9pm watershed is just that – a watershed and not a waterfall. This time is was Sky1 which fell foul of Rule 1.6 (“the… Continue
December tip: use that Ofcom research!
It is easy to ignore or overlook Ofcom’s research on the media. On 29 November 2017 for example the regulator published Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes 2017 report. This is an annual report but it provides detailed evidence on media… Continue
Comments on Ofcom’s 20 November 2018 Bulletin (342)
Rushanara Ali, Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow (see photo), featured in this Bulletin. Ms Ali was the subject of a four and half minute report broadcast on 29 April 2017 on Bangla TV, which referred to her in… Continue
Fox News, broadcasting standards, Ofcom and the 20th Century Fox takeover
Ofcom’s two breach decisions against Fox News published today (6 November) will no doubt be studied by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) with some interest. One of them found that a Tucker Carlson Tonight show (Tucker Carlson pictured) discussing the… Continue
November tip: don’t forget the informal
When dealing with an Ofcom issue many broadcasters just read the Code, other published documents and consult any relevant formal guidance. If there is an investigation they deal with Ofcom only through formal correspondence. My tip is do not neglect… Continue
Privacy: Ofcom’s most important decision in recent years
Ofcom’s decision that Channel 5 breached television privacy rules in Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away is one of the most significant determinations of the regulator in this area in recent years. All lawyers interested in privacy, and people involved with… Continue
The importance of consent when filming
It is crucial for broadcasters to get appropriate consent from people being filmed. In a sensible and well-reasoned not in breach privacy decision on Channel 5’s Fatal Fog: Winter Road Rescue (pictured), Ofcom sets out the sort of factors it… Continue
When is an Ofcom sanction NOT an Ofcom sanction?
This issue was highlighted by the recent Ofcom decision to order Channel 4 News to broadcast a summary of its determination that the programme had seriously breached Rule 5.1 of the Broadcasting Code (lack of due accuracy in news).
Ofcom, BBC and due impartiality: six months on
No – they are not hunting for an Ofcom decision on the BBC and due impartiality – but for snails. They might as well have been hunting for that elusive Ofcom published decision though because there have not been any.