Media regulation: blog tasks
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Regulation is a system that provide rules and regulations to ensure that organisations operate fairly they do this to monitor the way that their industries work.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
OFCOM regulates broadcast media such as TV and radio.
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
I think protecting children is the most important section as they are trying to keep kids safe from the internet and subjects they should not be seeing there such as offensive language, nudity or any news that try's to attract children.
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
I partially agree with OFCOMs statement as children usually stay up late watching television as its a sort of entertainment. Bed time for them is roughly around 7 and children are very curious when exploring channels. However, parents should be able to monitor their own children while they browse the TV
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Accuracy, privacy, harassment, children, reporting crime.
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
It was criticised as it has lack of statutory powers means that when a newspaper has been found to break the rules, the best a victim can hope for is an apology, which often does not get sufficient prominence in the paper.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
Its an inquiry into the “culture, practice and ethics of the press” was held due to a phone hacking scandal
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
It was replaced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. This was set up by the newspaper industry itself and it’s code of practice is essentially the same
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?
I believe press regulation is important to not forward fake or unnecessary news that may harm others. Newspapers should be regulated like any other media to maintain their professionalism and not use offensive languages or actions
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
Its hard to regulate as cultural industries are growing and publishing their own content making them powerful. Sector 23 also supports this as it prevents the government from handling websites by providing immunity.