Regulatory bodies

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. They make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV radio. 

There is all together 10 sections for the broadcasting code with an additional 3 more other sections called Appendix 1, cross-promotion code, on demand programme service rules. The ten sections above include protecting the under eighteens, harm and offence, religion, privacy etc. These sections are rules from Ofcom that u must follow when making radio, they include things like offensive words and abuse that you be aware of not to use. This will help us see what types of language to use in our radio show and will stop us from having bad language and any offensive things. 

For section 1 the principle is 'To ensure that people under eighteen are protected'. Drugs, smoking, solvents and alcohol must not be featured in programmes made for children. The same goes for violence, whether verbal or physical. I will not talk about drugs if I'm making a tv radio for under 18s. We will have to make sure we aren't talking about any drugs or anything in our radio show, and make sure there is nothing talked about violence as this could violate the rules and regulations. 

For section 2 the principle is 'To ensure that generally accepted standards are applied to the content of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material'. Dangerous behaviour and suicide is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour. I have to make sure I don't talk about any harmful or offensive material as it could bad for the audience. We need to make sure there is a age rating on this show because it talks about how pedophiles and might offend some people and could lead to dangerous things.  

For section 3 the principle is 'To ensure that material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or to lead to disorder is not included in television or radio services or BBC ODPS'. In this section they are explaining the meaning of terrorism, hate speech, crime, disorder and more. The meaning is helpful to those who don't know what they mean.

For section 4 the principle is 'To ensure that broadcasters exercise the proper degree of responsibility with respect to the content of programmes which are religious programmes'. They give meanings of a religious programme, seek recruits etc. This is to ensure you when making a religious programme you should follow these rules. When making a programme I should not talk on other religions as it could be offensive to them.

For section 10 the principle is 'To ensure the transparency of commercial communications as a means to secure consumer protection'. They give meanings of transparency, signalling etc. They explain the basic rules of commercial communications on radio. When making the programme we need to make sure no thing will offend anyone and try to keep it as clean as possible.