Page 297 - Law and the Media
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Law and the Media
17.5.3 Codes of conduct
The codes of conduct on standards and fairness give guidance on good practice, which all
broadcasters and their regulators are required to reflect. The codes set out the principles to
be observed and the practices to be followed:
To avoid unjust or unfair treatment in programmes
To avoid the unwarranted infringement of privacy in programmes or in connection
with their preparation, and
In connection with the portrayal of violence and sex.
17.5.4 Complaints
The BSC considers complaints relating to:
Standards. This includes the portrayal of violence, sex and other issues of taste and
decency, such as bad language. The code and any research are considered alongside
the material complained of and its context
Fairness. Only people with a direct interest in a broadcast can complain about
unfair treatment or unwarranted infringement of privacy. The BSC studies written
exchanges of evidence and may hold a hearing.
The decisions of the BSC are published regularly. Broadcasters must report any action taken
by them as a result of a decision made by the BSC. The BSC can also require broadcasters
to publish any decision in a newspaper or magazine, or ‘on air’.
17.5.5 Monitoring
The BSC monitors the standards of United Kingdom broadcasting and reports on the attitude
of the public towards standards and fairness issues. It may also report to the Department for
Media, Culture and Sport.
17.6 The Independent Television Commission
The Independent Television Commission (the ‘ITC’) was established by the Broadcasting
Act 1990 to govern the licensing and regulating of independent television, teletext, and
licensed cable and satellite services in the United Kingdom. It replaced the Independent
Broadcasting Authority.
The ITC is governed by the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Broadcasting Act 1996. Amongst
its extensive statutory powers, the ITC has the authority to lay down and enforce codes of
practice in order to maintain what it considers to be proper standards in respect of politically
sensitive material, good taste, decency and the portrayal of violence.
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