Ofcom Regulations Sheet

OFCOM Factual Programme Regulations

OFCOM Regulation

How it imposes constraints on media production?

How it could affect your product negatively

How it could affect your product positively

What is OFCOM’S role as a media regulator?

Ofcom is the UK regulator for both broadcasting and telecommunications. It regulates the content of television and also radio broadcast programmes in the UK.

Reconstructio ns

This is when you make a remake of something for example crime watch? They must insure that it is fair and accurate.

The actors that are acting out the remake might not make it that accurate

This will help my viewers get I better visual understanding on what actually happened

Secret Filming

This is when they film someone without them knowing so, but they must state why they are secretly filming someone

Those being secret filmed could find out at anytime

You can catch him in the act without him knowing so giving the documentary more realism.

Payments

Payments to sources or contributors without reference to and the approval of the broadcaster.

Once they have been opproval, they might ask for a high wage/

The contributors can be used in your documentary to your advantage

Dealing with Contributors

Contributors should be approved by the commissioning editor and programmed lawyer

They may not be prepared to do what you want

Depending on who the contributors are, it would give it more appeal to the audience and give it more realism

Must be careful what you say or show during your production because the viewers may get offended

Audience can watch it knowing they wont hear strong language which allow children to watch as well

They can commit a criminal offense in your production

If would give it more appeal because it’s a real life situation.

Potentially Offensive Material

Criminality

This means there should be no material which involves, strong language, violence, sexual violence ECT.

You mustn’t show anything in your production that involves criminality