Regulating Bodies

OFCOM

OFCOM stands for the “Office of Communications”. It is an organisation that regulates TV and radio sectors, ensuring people who watch TV and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or offensive material. OFCOM also protects people from being treated unfairly in television and radio shows.

Under 18s – sexual content, drugs and language

OFCOM feel it is very important to protect under 18’s from harmful and offensive material. Younger viewers can be easily influenced by what they watch on TV so have created laws that programme makers must abide by.

• They believe that programme makers should always consider the impact that the representation of the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of drugs, smoking, solvent abuse and the misuse of alcohol, may have on younger viewers.
• OFCOM would not expect programme makers to allow frequent occurrences of material that condones, encourages or glamorises the use or abuse of these substances

OFCOM also regulate the amount of violence that can be shown within a programme. They are concerned in areas with the use of accessible domestic implements such as knives, or other offensive weapons.

Offensive language is also an area of concern for OFCOM. They understand that it is a feature of British life and in certain contexts it has an appropriate place in broadcasting. However, there is a concern with the harm it may have to young children who may be watching. There is a concern that children may imitate this offensive language even when their parents or carers have told them it is wrong.

A variety of music videos are watched by children. However, OFCOM are concerned where song lyrics may cause offence, and ask broadcasters too possibly use track remixes or edits. Some videos will only be shown after watershed if OFCOM believe the video will cause serious harm and offence to young watchers.

Under 18’s – employed in film/video

OFCOM takes extreme caution and has rules that all broadcasters must comply with if any under eighteen appears in or participates in a programme. Broadcasters must always take into consideration the child’s welfare. If a participant is under sixteen, OFCOM asks broadcasters to ensure that there is consent from a parent, guardian or other person over eighteen. When given consent by parents or guardians, OFCOM believe it is the broadcaster’s duty to make sure the parent understands the full implications of their child’s participation. Programme makers are told to highlight both the positive and negative likely outcomes from participating in programme.

Flashing Images

Flashing images can cause seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. This is why OFCOM have specific guidelines for broadcasters who use flashing images in their programme. OFCOM say that all broadcasters should give a clear warning before the programme starts that flashing images may occur.

My Music Video

After reading through OFCOM’s guidelines, I have realised what I can and cannot put into my video. I was not planning on showing drug use, violence or sexual content in my video so these guidelines don’t apply and have not changed my plans. As the song I plan to use has no strong or offensive language, these guidelines also do not apply. I will be using under 18’s in my video, so I will have to ensure that no harm can be done when filming. I will also not be using under 16’s so will not have to worry with asking for their parent’s written consent. I will also need to be careful to comply with guidelines regarding to flashing images. In my video I want to have a series of patterns of change of colour, so I will have to ensure that the speed of the changes complies with OFCOM’s rules.

By doing this task it has benefitted me as now I know what content I can and cannot use in my music video if I want it to be suitable for the viewing of under 18's, which I do.