The Broadcasting Code
Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code governs what can be aired on TV and radio.
It is the rule book for TV and radio stations and sets standards for programmes which broadcasters have to follow.
The Code exists to protect viewers and listeners from harmful and offensive content but also ensures that broadcasters have the freedom to make challenging programmes.
For example, broadcasters can transmit provocative material – even if some people consider it offensive – provided it is editorially justified and the audience is given appropriate information.
As well as harm and offence, the Code covers other areas like impartiality and accuracy, sponsorship and product placement as well as fairness and privacy.
Protecting children
There’s a whole section of the Code dedicated to protecting children, including rules about the 9pm watershed on TV.
There are also rules about the times broadcasters choose to schedule their programmes, as well as restrictions on programmes broadcast before the watershed that include offensive language, violence, sexual material, and dangerous or harmful behaviour that children might try to copy.
History of the Code
The Code came into force in May 2005 and was initially drawn up to replace the codes Ofcom had inherited from its predecessors – including the Broadcasting Standards Commission and the Independent Television Commission.
It had to take into account the dramatic changes that had affected TV and radio. The UK was no longer a country with just four or five TV stations and the majority of homes now had access to many more digital TV and radio channels.
The Code was drawn up following extensive research amongst viewers, listeners and broadcasters – and we received more than 900 responses to our public consultation.
Since 2005 the Code has been revised on a number occasions, including clarifying rules around audience competitions and voting, the broadcast of sexual material rules and product placement.
Complaints
Whenever viewers and listeners complain to us about a programme they’ve seen or heard, we assess it against the Code.
If we find a programme has broken those rules, then we will write a decision (also known as a Finding) recording the breach.
These decisions are published on our website in the fortnightly Broadcast Bulletin.
Read the latest Broadcast Bulletins
If a broadcaster seriously or repeatedly breaches our rules, we have legal powers to impose sanctions.
This could be a substantial fine or even taking away their licence to broadcast.
All of our sanctions decisions are published here.
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