TV and Radio Compliance Consultant
Ofcom has issued a stark warning to television services about the use of ‘deep fakes’ in programmes (see Broadcast Bulletin, 3 April 2023). Although the regulator’s new Note to Broadcasters does not refer to the ‘deep fake’ images of the… Continue
Cliff Richard is not the only person looking pensive after his High Court privacy victory over the BBC on 18 July. Many broadcasters are asking what it means for them in terms of their fairness and privacy (F&P) duties under… Continue
…do have periodic compliance reviews! Many broadcasters have set up arrangements for their compliance of TV and radio programmes, advertising, sponsorship and premium rate phone calls, and on demand services, for example and become comfortable with them. Like those… Continue
Once Ofcom has decided to consider a serious breach of the Code for a sanction, all is not lost. This month I am giving some tips, based on years of experience handling sanctions at Ofcom, on how best a broadcaster… Continue
With Ofcom fining the Al Arabiya channel a whopping £120,000 in January 2018 it is more essential than ever for broadcasters to know what to do to avoid an Ofcom sanction. The first and obvious thing is to have good… Continue
Clients regularly ask me about how best to handle Ofcom time deadlines. Here’s what you need to know. When starting a standards investigation or asking for information, Ofcom sets deadlines. These are to help ensure Ofcom meets its Key Performance… Continue
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
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
Ofcom publishes Guidance online to supplement the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. It is important and regularly updated. Although allegedly only Guidance, Ofcom must take account of it when applying the Code. So always be alert to changes to Ofcom Guidance and… Continue