6F Programmes Involving or Concerning Crime : Ofcom Broadcasting Code
Generally
- Programmes must not encourage or incite crime or be likely to lead to disorder. Programmes should not give the impression of condoning criminal activity.
- Programmes should not contain essential details about criminal techniques that could enable the commission of a crime, unless there is sufficient editorial justification.
- See Chapter 4B, Crime
Programmes Involving Witnesses in Legal Proceedings
- Programme-makers must seek advice from the programme lawyer whenever a witness or potential witness in legal proceedings takes part in a programme.
- Do not pay or promise to pay, directly or indirectly, any witness or any person reasonably expected to be called as a witness in criminal legal proceedings. The payment of any expenses must be approved by the commissioning editor and programme lawyer in advance.
- Similarly where criminal legal proceedings are "likely and foreseeable" do not make or promise to make any payment to anyone who might reasonably be expected to become a witness without first seeking advice from the programme lawyer.
- See Chapter 4B, Crime - ‘Payments'
- See Chapter 5B, Contempt and Reporting Legal Proceedings
Filming with Convicted or Confessed Criminals
- Convicted or confessed criminals may be willing to be interviewed to talk about their crimes, or for other reasons. In all cases, advice must be sought from the programme lawyer as soon as practically possible and preferably before filming takes place. Given the potentially sensitive nature of such interviews, careful thought must be given to the conduct of such interviews and what is to be ultimately broadcast.
- No payment or promise of payment must be made to convicted or confessed criminals, or those close to them, e.g. family members, without first obtaining the broadcaster's approval. Note: criminals will not be paid for interviews (or any other contribution) that relate to their crimes, unless it is justified by the public interest.
- See Chapter 4B, Crime - in particular ‘Payments' and ‘Programmes Involving Criminal Activity'
- See Chapter 5F, Programmes Involving Criminal Activity