Independent Producer Handbook

Main Navigation:

1. Introduction
2. Channel 4's Compliance Procedures
3. Five's Compliance Procedures
4. OFCOM Broadcasting Code
5. Media Law
6. Programming Checklists
7. Channel 4 Appendices
8. Five Appendices

• Channel 4
• Five

6A Factual and Current Affairs Programming : Ofcom Broadcasting Code

Truth & Accuracy

• Channel 4 and Five take the issue of viewer trust very seriously. Viewers are entitled to expect that programmes are accurate and true and the audience must not be misled. This obligation applies to all types of programming, including entertainment programmes with factual elements. Portraying real events, whether in documentary, features, factual entertainment, drama or any other programme, which the viewer is entitled to take at face value, must respect truth and accuracy.
  
• Programmes must be honest, fair and accurate and must not mislead viewers.
• See Chapter 4A, Protecting Under 18s & Harm and Offence - 'Viewer Trust: Truth, Accuracy and the Importance of not Misleading the Audience'
• See Channel 4's Viewer Trust Guidelines at Appendix 7A
• See Five's Viewer Trust Guidelines at Appendix 8A

 Reconstructions

• All reconstructions must be fair and accurate.
• If there is a risk that viewers might be misled, reconstructions should be labelled as such to avoid confusion.
• Where there is risk of causing distress by reconstructing actual events, appropriate parties should be informed.
• See Chapter 4A, Protecting Under 18s & Harm and Offence - 'Viewer Trust: Truth, Accuracy and the Importance of not Misleading the Audience'
• See Channel 4's Viewer Trust Guidelines at Appendix 7A
• See Five's Viewer Trust Guidelines at Appendix 8A

Secret Filming

• Individuals must not normally be filmed or recorded secretly for inclusion in a programme unless approved by the broadcaster in advance.
• Programme-makers must set out in writing their justification for covert filming/recording. It must satisfy the provisions of Section 8.13 of the Code.
• Before any secret filming is undertaken, there are detailed guidelines you must follow. See Channel 4's and Five's internal compliance procedures and rules contained within the Channel 4 Appendices and Five Appedices . 
• See Chapter 4D, Privacy - 'Surreptitious or Secret Filming'
• See Channel 4's Secret Filming Rules at Appendices 7C and Five's Secret Filming Rules 8C
  

Payments

• Do not make payments to sources or contributors without reference to and the approval of the broadcaster. This does not include modest out-of-pocket expenses e.g. to cover meals and taxi fares, which are unlikely to be problematic.
• You must seek advice from the programme lawyer before making or promising to make any payment to a convicted or confessed criminal.
• You must not make any payment or promise to make any payment to any witness or defendant involved in any kind of legal proceedings without the consent of the commissioning editor and programme lawyer. Where criminal proceedings are likely and foreseeable, again never pay or promise to pay a potential witnesses without first consulting with your commissioning editor and taking advice from the programme lawyer.
• See Chapter 4B, Crime - 'Payments'
• See Chapter 5B, Contempt

Dealing with Contributors

• If advertising for contributors, the wording of adverts should be approved by the commissioning editor and programme lawyer.
• Contributors should take part in programmes on the basis of their informed consent.
• Consent should normally be in the form of a signed release form, although consent on camera may be satisfactory.
• Any 'set-ups' or use of deception must be justified by the public interest and this must always be agreed in advance by the broadcaster, unless it is intended to seek consent of those filmed before broadcast.
• Letters to key prospective contributors should be approved by the commissioning editor and programme lawyer before being sent.
• Any approach to seek a response (right of reply) in relation to significant allegations or criticisms must be discussed and approved in advance by the programme lawyer.
• Any conditions placed on interviews by contributors must be agreed by the programme lawyer before programme-makers accept. Programme-makers cannot agree to give contributors previews of programmes without the consent of the commissioning editor. Editorial control must never be ceded.
• Any attempt to seek an interview without prior arrangement i.e. a ‘doorstep', must
  be discussed and approved by the programme lawyer in advance.
• Programme-makers must comply with the rules on payments.
• Interviews must be fairly edited.
• Individuals in distress should not be put under pressure to agree to be interviewed or otherwise take part in a programme.
• If filming with the police or other authorities, seek advice from the programme lawyer.
• If a source seeks an absolute guarantee of anonymity seek immediate advice from your programme lawyer. 
• See Chapter 4C, Fairness - in particular 'Fairness & Contributors'
• See Chapter 4D, Privacy, in particular 'Privacy & Contributors'

People Under 18

• Due care must be taken with regard to the physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of people under 18 years who are involved in programmes. Further, unnecessary distress or anxiety must not be caused.
• Parental consent will be required for individuals under 16 appearing in programmes, unless their contribution is minor and uncontroversial, or it is warranted to proceed without such consent.
• Similar considerations must be had with regard to 'vulnerable adults' i.e. those unable to give informed consent e.g. because of mental disorder.
• See Chapter 6E, 'Programmes Involving Under 18s' Checklist
• See Chapter 4C, Fairness - 'Consent & Children and Young People ' and ‘Consent & Vulnerable Adults '
• See Chapter 4D, Privacy - 'Privacy & Contributors ' and 'The Involvement of Under 18s in Programmes Generally '
  

Fairness & Privacy

• We must avoid the unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes.
• If the programme you are making involves criticising or making any damaging allegation about any living individual or organisation, seek advice from your programme lawyer.
• Any significant infringement of privacy of an individual or organisation, in the making or broadcast of a programme, must be warranted by the public interest.
• See Chapter 4C, Fairness
• See Chapter 4D, Privacy
  

Criminality

• Programmes involving criminals or about criminality require special care and are likely to be legally contentious. 
• See Chapter 6F, 'Programmes Concerning and/or Involving Crime' Checklist
• See Chapter 4B, Crime
• See Chapter 5B, Contempt and Reporting Legal Proceeedings
• See Chapter 5F, Programmes Involving Criminal Activity
  

Impartiality

• Programmes dealing with matters of political or industrial controversy or matters relating to current public policy should be duly impartial.
• See Chapter 4F, Impartiality

Potentially Offensive Material

• Material with the potential to cause offence e.g. strong language, violence, sexual violence, explicit sexual portrayal etc. must always be justifiable by the context. Advice should be sought from
  the legal & compliance department at an early stage.
• The commissioning editor, on the advice of the programme lawyer, will ensure that an on-air warning is given to viewers, where appropriate
• See Chapter 4A, Protection of Under 18s & Harm and Offence

Commercial References

• Programmes should not give undue prominence to commercial products or services.
• Product placement is prohibited.
• Where programmes contain viewer competitions and/or premium rate telephone lines for viewers to call, seek advice from the programme lawyer.
• Sponsored programmes must not contain promotional references to the sponsor, its activities or products or services.
• Advertisements or clips from advertisements used within programmes will require strong editorial justification. Always seek advice from your programme lawyer.
• See Chapter 4H, Editorial Independence and Commercial References within Programmes