regulatories bodies

  Ofcom

What is ofcom?

Ofcom (office of communications) is a government approved regulatory system which autorises for broadcasting, television all over the UK. There are certain rules we have to follow from ofcom when creating our media product.

Section one: Protecting the under eighteens 

With this section it let’s us know that we must protect the under eighteens and not include any content that are:

• Any material that may impair the physical, mental or moral development

• Must have an appropriate scheduling 

• Children under 15 must have content suited for them

When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure any content that is used won’t harm under 18s, since the topic of my radio project can be quite sensitive. We must use a way to deliver the message without harming anyone. 

Section two: Harm and offence

With this section it let’s us know not to include any content that may harm or offend the audience, which content that may include is:

• Programmes or items portray must not mislead the audience

• No harmful or offensive content/materials

When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure that my content won’t harm or offend anyone. When talking about social media in my radio project harmful words can be used, however I must ensure they’re used in a way where no one is offended or just bring it up for a bit. 

Section three: Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse

With this section it let’s us know that we must not include any servier crime, disorder, hatred and abuse, which content may be:

• Content which may directly or indirectly constantly to a call to criminal action or disorder

• Any speech that may influence the audience to criminal

When using these rules for my radio project I must ensure that my content must not lead to any actions that the view may take. I must find a way to deliver my message without giving the wrong idea. The way I'll incorporate this is by having my radio project have a happy ending, and the way each of the voice actors talk will not promote crime, disorder, hatred and abuse.

Section four: Religion

With this section it relates to the audiences and must respect the audiences religion, content that must be used/ not be used is:

• Religions must be treated with respect when spoken about, with no harm words used against them.

• Must not have any abusive content used to demote religions.

When using these rules for my radio project I must keep in account the audience’s religion and not use any content that may harm them. I must not make the content offend them in any way.

Section ten: Commercial Communications in Radio Programming 

This section is all about the guidelines and rules for commercial content in BBC UK radio broadcasts. The rules that they have provided in the official Ofcom website are there to ensure that commercial communications are transparent and recognisable from editorial content, thus protecting listeners of the broadcasts from misleading advertising and mistreatment.

Important rules that have been mentioned in section ten are:

• Sponsorships - When a programme has been sponsored, the sponsorship must be clearly identified at the beginning and end of the programme, making it transparent to the listeners.

• General Principles - Listeners should be able to easily distinguish whether the radio programme is presenting a commercial message.

• Content and Scheduling - The content that the radio programme is presenting need to avoid making any misleading claims, posting offensive material that could cause any harm or offense, etc. 

Overall the entire purpose of this section is for radio stations such as BBC to be responsible. In order to keep their listeners trust, radio stations make sure that their commercial communications are accountable, open, and compliant with legal requirements.