Regulation Research

The regulating body for TV shows, music videos, adverts etc is OFCOM (The Office of Communications).

OFCOM is a government appoved scheme to regulate the content of any broadcasting, telecommunications and postal company in the UK. OFCOM was set up to represent the interests of the public and the consumers by regulating what can and cannot be broadcast to the public which could be considered harmful or offensive material.

It was announced OFCOM would be created in the Queen's Speech to parliament in June 2001 which would replace existing authorities. It would be known as a "super-regulator" to over see all media channels.

OFCOM have a set of specific rules to which anyone making a peice of televised media must stick to.

The first set of rules is to protect under 18's from being exposed to harmful/sexual content./drugs/language.

The term children is used for under 15's therefore any content shown before the watershed (any content that defies these rules must be shown after 9pm and before 5.30am) should stick to these guidlines for children:

• Material that might seriously impair the development of people under eighteen must not be broadcast.
• Broadcasters must take all reasonable steps to protect people under eighteen.
• Children must also be protected by appropriate scheduling for programmes that have unsuitable material for them.

Drugs, smoking, solvents and alcohol

Drugs, smoking, solvent use and excess use of alcohol must not be shown in any programme aimed at children. Generally it must be avoided and must not be condoned, glamorised or encouraged if shown before the watershed
It also must not be condoned, gamorised or encouraged in other programmes likely to be widely seen or heard by under 18's.
OFCOM understands that a younger audience may be influenced by seeing these types of images and try and repliate them that is why these rules are in place.

Violence and dangerous behaviour

OFCOM regulates the amount voilence that can be shown before the watershed. They regulate violence, its after-effects and descriptions of violence, whether verbal or physical. This must be appropriately limited in programmes primarily aimed at children.

Violence, whether verbal or physical, that could be imitable by children that could be harmful or dangerous to others must never be shown before the watershed and never in promgrammes primarily aimed at children.

Offensive language

The most offensive language must never be used in any program before the watershed or in any program directed at children. if used beofre the watershed it must be justified by the context and frequent use of any offensive language must be avoided at all times before the watershed.

Sexual material

Material equivalent to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) 18+ rating must not be broadcast at any time and adult sex material (material that contains images and/or language of a strong sexual nature which is broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation) must not be broadcast at any time other than after 11pm - 5.30am

Employing under 18's

When employing an under 18 to be used in a tv program/music video etc OFCOM has rules that all broadcasters must comply with. Broadcasters must take into account the child’s welfare. If under sixteen broadcasters must ensure that there is consent from a parent or guardian. When given consent by parents or guardians, OFCOM believe it is the broadcaster’s duty to make sure the parent understands the full implications of their child’s participation. Program makers are told to highlight both the positive and negative likely outcomes from participating in program.

Flashing images

Flashing images can cause seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. OFCOM have specific guidelines for broadcasters who use these flashing images in their programmes. All broadcasters should give a clear warning before the programme that flashing images will be used.

My music video

After reading the OFCOM guidelines i now know what i can and cant put in music video. 

• We were not planning on using any images of drug use, nudity or using any offensive bad language in the video so therefore those guidelines do not apply to the type of video I would like to create.

• I will have under 18's in my video so I will need to comply with those rules however they are older than 16 so I do not need written parental consent to have them in the video.

• I wasnt planning on having flashing images in my video but if I do I will need to make sure that they comply with the rules.