4A Protecting Under 18s and Harm and Offence : Introduction
We aim to provide challenging, distinctive, quality programmes to serve our audiences and are constantly looking for new ways in which to inform and entertain viewers. Inevitably, therefore, some of our programmes will deal with difficult or controversial subjects which will not be to the tastes of all viewers and may cause offence to some members of the audience.
Ofcom's Code is designed to ensure that generally accepted standards are upheld in television programmes in order to protect members of the public from harmful or offensive material. Section 1 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code ("the Code") deals specifically with protecting under 18s whilst Section 2 deals with issues of "harm and offence" generally. This replaces the old concept of "taste and decency". Since these two sections of the Code must be read together, they have been combined in this Handbook into one chapter, although the rules relating to the protection of under 18s are highlighted at the start.
As responsible broadcasters, our primary aim is to protect viewers appropriately, particularly under 18s, from potentially harmful and offensive material, whilst recognising the importance of freedom of expression, together with the right of our audience to receive information and ideas as freely as possible. We seek to follow the principles and comply with the rules in the Code and the key to this is assessing audience expectations. This includes scheduling material responsibly, providing viewers with information about potentially harmful or offensive material through the use of clear and specific warnings, to enable viewers to make informed choices, and ensuring that the broadcast of difficult and challenging material can be justified editorially and by the context.