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

• Introduction
• The Compliance Process and Role of Commissioning
• The Legal & Compliance Department
• The Viewers’ Editor
• The Role of Ofcom
• When a Programme is Commissioned or Purchased
• Editorial Referral-Up Process
• Issues Requiring Referral-up
• Areas of Potential Concern with Specific Procedures
• Complaints about Programmes
• The Compliance Role for other Departments
• Additional Guidelines and Procedures for Channel 4 Programmes
• Changes to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, Ofcom Guidance, The Handbook, Guidelines and Procedures

• Channel 4
• Five

Issues Requiring Referral-up

It is impossible to set out an exhaustive list of issues which require referral-up but the golden rule is - if in doubt, refer. The following list outlines the main areas where timely and appropriate editorial and compliance referral-up before (and in some cases after**) broadcast is required:

• Where there are significant viewer trust issues; **
• Where there are serious questions or concerns about the authenticity of factual material; **
•  Apparently dishonest conduct by a member of the production team; **
• Programmes containing material which will potentially cause widespread offence e.g. extreme violence, explicit sexual material, highly offensive humour, material causing significant religious or racial offence or offence to other minority groups;
•  Programmes containing the most offensive language;
• Consideration of plans to use Premium Rate Telephone Services (including red button)for voting or competitions, or other forms of viewer interaction;
• Where there are plans to film or record surreptitiously or broadcast such material;
• Where there are serious concerns about the health or safety of programme makers or contributors;**
• Where there are sensitive or ethical issues relating to contributors, particularly those under 18 or vulnerable adults;**
• Projects which involve travel to a dangerous country;
• Where there are plans to research or film in potentially dangerous situations;
• Where there are plans to provide an undertaking of anonymity to a source (see also point 9 (viii) below);
• Where a potentially contentious programme is relying on a single source;
• Where there are plans for highly controversial figures to appear in programmes;
• Any proposal to grant a preview to a contributor or other third party in unusual circumstances;
• Any proposal to pay a criminal or someone who has engaged in seriously anti-social behaviour for an interview about their crime/behaviour;
• Footage of executions or individuals at the point of death;
• The portrayal of highly controversial figures or events in factual dramas;
• Where there are plans to film entertainment "set-ups" or high profile stunts;
• Any other material which requires a difficult call on a compliance or sensitive ethical issue;
• Programmes in respect of which there is a serious risk or threat of legal action;**
• Where there is serious risk or threat of police action against the programme, programme-makers or a contributor;**
• Where there are plans to enter into a commercial relationship, including for any product or service, with a third party in connection with a programme or programmes, particularly where it is planned to make reference on air to the company and/or products or services;
• An issue giving rise to a significant conflict of interest in respect of the programme makers or Channel 4.**

 

**Some of the above issues might also arise after transmission of a programme and will therefore require referral-up at that stage and these are denoted with a double asterisk.