Ofcom regulates content standards and broadcasting codes to protect citizens and consumers. The codes cover harm, offense, crime, religion, due impartiality, elections, fairness and privacy. Key factors in determining if content breaches standards include context, likely audience, and information. Ofcom examines cases related to offensive images, impartiality, fairness, privacy and undue promotion. Challenges include regulating converged media while balancing freedom of expression and protecting citizens.
2. Purpose of Ofcom Communications Act 2003 section 3 It shall be the principal duty of OFCOM, in carrying out their functions - a) to further the interests of citizens in relation to communications matters; andb) to further the interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition
40. ComplaintMs ‘B’ complained that the programme unfairly suggested she made false claims of sexual abuse against Mr Thomas Nicoll and that she may “have his death on her conscience”.
46. Factual ‘fly on the wall’ programme following the work of the Greater Manchester Police Dog Unit. ‘F’ (a minor) was shown driving and abandoning a car and then being arrested by the police.
48. ‘F’s father complained that his son’s privacy was unwarrantably infringed by the broadcast (without consent) of un-obscured images of his son being arrested.
61. Find out more (part two) Fairness and Privacy Finding for Scotland Today – STV, 18 Jan 2008, complaint made by Ms ‘B’ (upheld) http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb122/issue122.pdf Finding for Send in the Dogs, ITV1, 28 July 2009, complaint by Mr E made on behalf of F (his son) – (upheld) http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb151/Issue151.pdf Undue prominence and promotion Finding for Five News at 7, Five, 5 February 2009, 19:00 (upheld) http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb136/