Regulation

REALITY TV  - INVASION OF PRIVACY - ETHICS

Political Influence on the Media

To better understand media, we need to understand the political environment.

Media in A Democratic society is different from media in TOTALITARIAN nations (country run only by one political party) example China, North Korea.

THE BASIS OF DEMOCRACY

1.       Government is chosen and replaced through free and fair elections

2.       Active participation of the people as citizens

3.       Protection of the human rights of all citizens

4.       The Laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens

DEMOCRATIC SOECIETIES

1.       Protect freedom of the press and freedom of expression – PUBLIC INTEREST (INVASION OF PRIVACY)

2.       Characterized by a more diverse mix of public and privately owned media outlets offering a variety of arts, news, information, and entertainment

3.       The media is still subjected to government regulation - generally operate independently

Regulations

1.       When it comes to regulation, not all media are alike :  Print media,  broadcast media.

2.       The differences in regulations are often associated with technological differences example the Internet – New regulations are created with new media

3.       Differences emerge about the limits of free speech and the meaning of “public interest”

Regulatory Bodies

TV   : BROADCASTING AUTHORITY

1.       OFCOM – REGULATORY BODY OF UK

What is OFCOM? (OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS)

·         Operates independently from the government and party politics

·         They act solely in the interest of citizens and consumers

Legal Duties OF OFCOM

UK COMMUNICATIONS ACT 2003, to ensure that:

·         The UK has a wide range of electronic communications services example BROADBAND

·         A wide range of high quality TV AND RADIO programmes appealing to a range of tastes and interests.

·         TV AND RADIO STATIONS ARE PROFIDED BY A RANGE OF DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS

·         MEDIA AUDIENCES ARE PROTECTED FROM HARMFUL OR OFFENSIE MATERIAL

·         PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED FROM BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY IN THE MEDIA AND FROM HAVING THEIR PRIVACY INVADED

·         THE AIRWAVES ARE USED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY (TAXI FIRMS, BOAT OWNERS, MOBILE-PHONE COMPANIES AND BROADCASTERS)

·         OFCOM’s Broadcasting Code sets out rules which TV AND RADIO BROADCASTERS must follow

·         These Codes set standards to protect people under the age of 18 from material that is not suitable for them, while allowing broadcasters an appropriate amount of creative freedom.

NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR :

·          DISPUTES BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THEIR TELECOMS PROVIDER

·         Emails and internet content

·         Premium rate services (including mobile phone text services and ringtones) PHONEPAY PLUS

·         CONTENT OF TV AND RADIO ADVERTS (ASA)

·         Complaints about accuracy in BBC programmes (BBC)

·         BBC TV licence fee (BBC)

·         Newspapers and Magazines (PRESS COMPLAINTS COMMISSION)  - PCC

SITE

www.ofcom.org.uk