Laws on the telly
Friday 18 September 2009
n2k looks at the laws that the makers of TV shows like Eastenders and Hollyoaks must follow.
Codes
In the UK TV networks are regulated by the Office of Communications or Ofcom. Ofcom ensure that programmes follow their guidelines and rules. These are called the Broadcasting Code.
The Broadcasting Code covers the standards that programmes have to live up to and is there to ensure that programmes are safe and enjoyable for audiences.
So, if you see something on TV that you think is inappropriate then Ofcom is who to contact.
Keeping it safe
There are a few ways in which Ofcom ensures that the content of a TV programme is suitable for the audience for which it is intended.
Watershed
The watershed is a term used for the time in television schedules when adult content can be shown on TV. Adult content includes scenes of a sexual nature, graphic violence, strong language, drug references and nudity.
Currently the watershed in the UK is 9PM. Until this time, broadcasters have to make sure that all programmes are suitable for young audiences who are under 15.
Harm and offence
TV programmes should not cause harm or offence.
What constitutes harm or offence can vary according to various factors. These include:-
The channel that the programme is shown on - for example sometimes Channel 4 are known to show more unconventional programmes than the other networks.
Time of broadcast - programmes shown after the watershed are allowed to be more risky in content.
If there are similar shows in the same slot - this could mean that most of the public find them acceptable.
If there is a chance that the show could physically harm a member of the audience, then a warning must be shown at the beginning of the programme. For example, if a show will feature lots of flashing lights which would risk the safety of someone with photosensitive epilepsy, a text warning must be featured at the beginning of the show.
New laws
TV is changing and new guidelines and laws will soon be coming into effect to reflect a new era of TV programming.
Under 14
According to a new report, the Government could soon ban teenagers under the age of 14 from appearing on TV shows. Anyone 14 or under would only be able to take part in a show if they were acting, singing or dancing.
The Government decided to take this action after complaints received following a show on C4 which saw young children left unsupervised for a whole fortnight. During that time they were left to fend for themselves as they fought and cried for the entire two weeks!
Product placement
Product placement is a form of advertising where branded goods, products or services are discreetly advertised in films and television shows. With product placements the product could appear in the background of a scene, or be worn, held or touched by the actors.
This form of advertising is not always obvious; the product is sometimes only just visible in the shot and not the main focus of it. Other times it is more obvious.
Currently UK television shows aren’t allowed to feature any sort of product placement. That’s why you never see Peggy Mitchell in Eastenders serving a can of Coke behind the bar, or Tony from Hollyoaks serving up a slice of Mr. Kipling’s cake at Gnosh.
However, all that could soon change. The ban is set to be lifted from next week and could mean that networks will be able to feature product placement on UK programmes for the first time.
