Ofcom Regulation

Which media does Ofcom handle complaints about?

Ofcom regulates many different forms of media across the whole industry. This is ranging from Television and Radio to Telephone and Broadband services. Ofcom also regulates the post with the offshoot of the division called Postcomm. As Ofcom regulates many different types of media this could be a bit of a problem as they would have to regulate a lot of media and can not just focus on one media format.

What aspects of a programme broadcast on commercial radio and TV can consider?

The aspects that Ofcom can consider about TV and commercial radio are a wide variety. This can range from the content of the programme or commercial radio broadcast to the quality of the content being provided.

What issues can consider relating to programmes broadcast by the BBC?

With the BBC's license fee funded broadcasts Ofcom can only regulate certain things with these broadcasts, the BBC Trust is in charge of regulating the broadcasts of the BBC. The criteria that Ofcom can regulate are:

• Protection of Under 18s
• Harm and Offence
• Avoidance of inciting crime and disorder
• Responsible approach to religious content
• Prohibition of use of images of very brief duration
• Fairness
• Piracy

With the BBC's commercially funded broadcasting they must comply with the whole of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code.

What issues can it consider relating to sponsorship?

Ofcom can regulate the sponsorship of programs to ensure that unsuitable sponsorships can be prevented. This is done by looking into these areas:

• Transparency to ensure sponsorship arrangements are transparent.
• Separation to ensure that sponsorship messages are separate from programmes and to maintain a distinction between advertising and sponsorship.
• Editorial independence to ensure that the broadcaster maintains editorial 

There are only two different types of content that can not be sponsored and these are, News Bulletins on the radio and also News Presentations on the Television.

What sanctions can it impose on media institutions?

There are several different sanctions that Ofcom can give to broadcasters depending on the severity of the offence that they have committed. On the lower end of the scale Ofcom can tell a broadcaster not to show repeats of a certain programme or to show the the summary of the Ofcom investigation and the outcome of this. On the other end of the scale, Ofcom has the power to fine broadcasters and as a very last resort can take their license to broadcast.

What is not within its remit?

Even though Ofcom regulates a lot of things within the media industry there are several things that are out of their hands, these are:

• Disputes between you and your telecoms provider.
• Premium-rate services, including mobile-phone and text services and ringtones.
• The content within adverts.
• Complaints about BBC programmes accuracy.
• BBC License Fee
• Post Offices
• Newspapers and Magazines.

Example Of Ofcom Complaints

In September of 2012, The TV Watchdog Ofcom A Lady Gaga song performed by Alison Brunton. Ofcom recieved over 35 complaints about the segments all about the impact of the performance of Alisons two teenagers who are shown to be distressed by this. Full Story Here.