Television Regulation

Television Regulation 

Television regulation within the UK is dictated by Ofcom, they are a independent regulatory and competition authority. As the regulation author their duties include; 

- Specification of the broadcast code, it provides a mandatory set of rules which broadcast programmes must comply with. Failure for a broadcaster to comply with the code results in warnings, fines and potential revocation of a broadcasting license. 

- Rules on the amount and distribution of advertising. 

- Examining specific complaints by viewers or other bodies about programmes and sponsorship 

- Public consultations on matters relating to TV broadcasting. The results of the consultations are published by Ofcom, and inform the policies that Ofcom creates and enforces 

In 2008, Ofcom issued fines to the total of £7.7m. This included £5.67m of fines to ITV companies, including a £3m fine to LWT over voting irregularities on Saturday Night Takeaway, and fines totalling £495,000 to the BBC. Ofcom said phone-in scandals had contributed significantly to the fine totals.