MIGRAIN: Industries - Regulation

 

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

When industries are overseen by the government to make sure the market is fair and that the content provided is appropriate for the audiences. They need to be regulated so that one media industry doesn't monopolies the market and that their product is suitable.

2) What is OFCOM responsible for?

The OFCOM are responsible for regulating broadcasters (TV). This includes the BBC.

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?

• Section 2: Harm and offence 
• Section 3: Crime
• Section 8: Privacy

Section 2 & 3 are important to regulate to make sure it is suitable as these can easily influence people.

Section 8 is important as people privacy should be respected and should not be invaded.

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

In my opinion, I disagree with OFCOM, and that it was suitable for Channel 4 to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6:55pm on a Sunday evening. Firstly Channel 4 put a disclaimer on before Wolverine started giving the audiences a warning. Therefore it was up to the parents of the young children to allow or disallow their children to watch it. Also, the timing it was broadcasted shouldn't affect whether it is suitable for a young audience to watch. Channel 4 has an audience with the average ages of 16-34 years old. It was also a Sunday evening, so many people of these ages would be going to work/school the next day so would want to go bed a bit earlier, so an earlier viewing/time slot would be better. 

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

• Section 1: Accuracy
• Section 4: Harassment
• Section 7: Children in sex cases
• Section 11: Victims of sexual assault
• Section 16: Payment to criminals 

6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?

When newspaper's breach the rules, the victim doesn't receive justice. Due to this the Press Complaints Commission was criticised for not doing their job properly.

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

The Leveson enquiry was an enquiry leading to 2 men being imprisoned for intercepting for hacking into the royal phone lines. It was setup as practices and ethics of the press, and culture wanted to be looked into.

8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?

The PCC was replaces by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

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?

In my opinion, I think free press is important part of living in a democracy as we should have free speech, but what the press say about about someone needs to be true. They can't be lying or giving fake news about someone. If the press do do this, then the victim should be able to take this matter to the regulating body and deny these claims with evidence. If it is found that the press did lie, then they should face a fine. 

10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?

The internet is hard to regulate as it is international and has a range of multinational companies who have much more power. So you can't block different things from companies. Regulating the internet also exposes consumers ip addresses, data etc. so it would cause privacy and ethical issues.