Ofcom and Press Complaints Commission // PCC

Ofcom - //( http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/ )//

Help Links: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/ // http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/tv-and-radio/sponsorship-and-product-placement/

1. Which media does Ofcom handle complaints about?

Ofcom deals with complaints about Television // Radio // Phones // Internet // Pay TV // Postal service.

2. What aspects of a programme broadcast on commercial radio and TV can it consider?

Ofcom can consider all of the complaints received by who ever sent it in. They will access any complaint against the broadcasting code. The code contains rules UK broadcasters must comply with (even the BBC in certain areas).

3. What issues can it consider relating to programmes broadcast by the BBC?

 Stated on Ofcom's website, http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/tv-and-radio/accuracy-or-bias-on-the-bbc/, Ofcom say that, "If your complaint relates to matters of due impartially, due accuracy, bias or commercial references in BBC Programming, please make a complaint directly to the BBC.

The BBC Trust regulates these areas rather than Ofcom. The website says that the Ofcom Broadcasting Code contains rules relating to such matters on commercial services, but under the terms of the Communications Act the BBC is not licenced by Ofcom in the same way as the commerical broadcasters, and to reflect this situation a Memorandum of Understanding exists between Ofcom and the BBC Trust. So the BBC is ultimately accountable to the BBC Trust with regard to these areas. The BBC has a formal complaints process and complaints should be escalated with them in the first instance, as outlined in the BBC's complaints handling procedures on its website.

4. What issues can it consider relating to sponsorship?



5. What sanctions can it impose on media institutions?



6. What is not within its remit?

Press Complaints Commission

1. In 2012, what proportion of complaints made to the PCC were about accuracy in reporting?




2. What proportion of complaints were related to intrusion into privacy?




3. Who is the code drawn up by?




4. How do the PCC justify their self-regulation of their industry?




5. How is the PCC funded?




6. List the 16 main headings of the Code of Practice of the PCC.

To be Finished....