Television is highly regulated because of its mass
audience with a mixture of demographics, ethnicity and religion. It is a
platform people trust and find credible. This is why regulation is strict and
broadcasters have to abide. However it is hard not to upset audiences now and
again. Ofcom, The Office of
Communications, is a government approved regulatory and competition authority
for broadcasters, telecommunication and postal industries. Ofcom set the rules
that the industries must follow. The broadcasters themselves then have their
own self-regulations.
 |
| www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/ |
For example the BBC have
very high standards of regulations as a company, to ensure their broadcasting
image is represented well and not upsetting or loosing their audiences. Before
becoming an employee or being commissioned by the BBC they ensure that you have
completed their safeguarding trust certificate. ‘Safeguarding Trust is an
editorial training programme which examines the issue of where to draw the line
between legitimate media artifice and unacceptable audience deception.’ (BBC,
2007)
This is something I will
undertake over the next few months, as it will educate me on the regulatory
expectations of television. It will teach me the must not’s in programming such
as, ‘exploring editorial dilemmas around shooting/recording, editing,
interactivity, live broadcasting and 'as lives', and running competitions.’ (BBC,
2007) If I complete the Safeguarding Trust it will also look good to employers
that I have taken my time to consider these broadcasting compliances.
 |
| www.digital-tv.co.uk |
However saying all this
there is now becoming a blur between the boundaries of traditional TV and
online and on-demand TV. Ofcom only control material broadcasted over an
analogue or digital TV signal, so who has control over the new wave of TV
services? They are self-regulated by a group called, Association for Television
on Demand. Their regulatory code do follow closely that of Ofcom’s however the
problem with online TV is that they are far harder to regulate as anyone can
upload a video to the internet. Programmes that are made for after the watershed
on TV can be accessed any time of the day. However we have seen restrictions
put in place by the catch up TV websites, such a BBC Iplayer and 4OD requiring
users to be over 18. I must consider this in my own work, such as making sure I
clearly consult users if my film is inappropriate for younger audiences or
could offend. Overall I feel that knowing the regulations of the Television
broadcasting will help with my development into the industry.
Notes.
