LO3: Legal And Ethical Issues

When creating our audio trail for the radio show ONE20 fm, it is important that we consider some legal and ethical issues which could arise along the way and then ways which we can combat these in order to not be in breach of any laws. 


Legal and Ethical issues - 

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/19287/bcode09.pdf


Ofcom, is the regulatory body which deals with regulating everything which is broadcasted on tv and radio. They have a set of broadcast rules which producers/media companies have to abide by in order for the content to be suitable to air to a public audience, the areas which these rules cover include but are not limited to:

• protecting under eighteens
• observing watershed
• offensive/harmful language
• Harm or offence
• crime, hatred , disorder and abuse
• religion 
• elections 
• fairness
• privacy
• commercial reference to TV planning 
• commercial communications in radio programming

It is important to ensure that all content which is being broadcasted to an audience is suitable under all areas of this code. For example it is important for our planned show that we do not compromise the privacy of any of the callers who contribute to the show and or any social media accounts we include in shout outs - this would include keeping any personal data such as phone numbers , names , addresses and dates of birth private at the discretion of the caller. In relation to this , should a caller wish to be anonymous within the phone in section - this should be respected. 

In addition to this we would also have to regulate the language used by both presenters and callers as to not cause harm or offence to listeners - this would include disclosing to phone ins that their language needs to be monitored and should this be ignored - relevant apologies made. Our show needs to be impartial toward political, religious or social issues as to not cause offence and to not show any bias toward any of the aforementioned areas this will help avoid conflict between our show and listeners and also steer clear of breaking any of the codes put in place by Ofcom. Religious topics also fall under the ethical bracket also and as a show we must output a fair representation of all ethnicities , avoiding any topics which could provoke racism from callers or online profiles.

There is a possibility that some of our listeners could be under the age of 18 , therefore it is important under the code to protect them from any content which could be potentially damaging for them - this includes limited reference to sex , drugs or violence which also falls under the crime, disorder and abuse sector. There is no specific 'watershed' for radio broadcasting however there are times within the day which are expected for younger listeners not to be tuned in therefore more taboo topics can be discussed therefore around 7pm would be ideal to begin talking about going out or drinking . Although our show serves a purpose as to get listeners ready for their nights out , we must in no way glorify the abuse of alcohol or illegal substances and even as part of this include adverts from drink aware/South Yorkshire police.