Media regulation: blog tasks

 1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?

Systems of regulation are required to provide rules and regulations to ensure that organisations operate fairly and media industries need to be regulated so it is made sure that they do not break the rules and are following the rules correctly.

2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
OFCOM is responsible for regulating televison,telephone services and some aspects of the internet

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?

The three most important sections of the broadcasting code are protecting under-18s, harm and offence, and impartiality. Protecting under-18s is important because children are vulnerable and should not see violent or adult content. Harm and offence prevents content that could negatively affect viewers or society. Impartiality makes sure news and current affairs are fair and not biased towards one political view.

4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening

The three most important sections of the broadcasting code are protecting under 18s, harm and offence, and impartiality. Protecting under 18s is important because children are vulnerable and should not see violent or adult content. Harm and offence prevents content that could negatively affect viewers or society. Impartiality makes sure news and current affairs are fair and not biased towards one political view.

5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.

Five sections in the old PCC code of practice are accuracy, privacy, harassment, children, and discrimination.

 

6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?

the PCC was criticised because it had no legal power. It was voluntary, so newspapers could ignore its rules. If rules were broken, the PCC could only ask for an apology, which often had little impact. Critics said it did not stop newspapers from acting unethically.

7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?

The Leveson enquiry was a public investigation into the culture and ethics of the press, set up after the phone hacking scandal. It looked at illegal actions by journalists, such as hacking voicemails, and considered whether the press needed stronger regulation. Victims and media figures gave evidence.

8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?

In 2014 the PCC was replaced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation, or IPSO, which has a similar code but more powers than the PCC.

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?

Press regulation is important to protect people’s privacy and prevent unethical behaviour. A free press is also important for democracy because it exposes wrongdoing and holds people in power accountable. Statutory regulation could limit journalists from reporting freely, so a balanced system with independent regulation seems best.

10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?

The internet is hard to regulate because content comes from all over the world, spreads very quickly, and there is no single regulator. Different countries have different laws, and voluntary systems do not cover all platforms. Age restrictions and bans can be bypassed, so enforcement is difficult.