4A Protecting Under 18s and Harm and Offence : Key Points
- Under 18s must be protected from potentially harmful and offensive material. One of the main ways of achieving this is through the appropriate scheduling of programmes.
- The watershed is 9 pm. Nothing unsuitable for children should, in general, be shown before 9pm or after 5.30 am. After 9 pm, there should then be a gradual transition to more adult material, not an abrupt change. Generally, the more adult in nature a programme is, the later in the schedule it should appear.
- Potentially harmful or offensive material includes strong language, violence, sexual behaviour etc.. Its inclusion must be justified editorially and by the context i.e. taking into consideration the editorial content of the programme, its scheduling, the audience's likely expectations, any warning that has been given etc..
- Audience expectation is key. Viewers should be clearly forewarned of any potentially harmful or offensive material so they can make their own informed choices about what they and their children watch. This usually requires clear on-air pre-transmission warnings.
- Programmes must be true and accurate. It is the responsibility of programme-makers and broadcasters to ensure that viewers are not misled.
- Programmes should not condone or glamorise violent, dangerous or seriously anti-social behaviour, especially where it
is likely to encourage others to copy
such behaviour. - Any discriminatory treatment or language e.g. on grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion, beliefs and sexuality must be justified by the context. Nothing transmitted should be intended to stir up racial hatred or, taking into account the circumstances, be likely to do so.
- Programmes should show respect for human dignity. In news and factual programmes, showing people in distress and in sensitive situations requires clear editorial justification. Similarly, in entertainment programmes, careful consideration must be given to humour based on the plight or misfortune of individuals, which again must be justifiable editorially and by the context.
- Programmes including exorcism, the occult and the paranormal will require careful handling.