POS Impartiality in Broadcasting

Question 1

Which section of the Ofcom code applies to impartiality?

Answer 1

Section 5

Question 2

What does section 5 of the Ofcom code say?

Answer 2

It requires there to be ‘due impartiality’ in the way broadcasters cover ‘matters of political or industrial controversy and matters relating to current public policy’.

Question 3

Do the press have to be impartial?

Answer 3

No, they are free to editorialise and campaign under clause 1 of the editor’s code

Question 4

How can journalists broadcast their own views and still be compliant with the Ofcom code?

Answer 4

If this is done in ‘personal view’ or ‘authored’ programmes or items

Question 5

How can personal view or authored programs be broadcast without breaching the Ofcom code?

Answer 5

if the nature of these is clearly signalled to the audience at the outset of such a programme

Question 6

How do you make sure you are impartial when covering someone else’s campaign?

Answer 6

the requirement not to give ‘undue prominence to the views and opinions of particular persons or bodies’ in respect of such matters

Question 7

Do both sides have to be shown in that programme?

Answer 7

No, due impartiality can be preserved through clearly linked and timely programmes.

Question 8

Can broadcast journalists private social media breach impartiality rules?

Answer 8

Yes, a complaint against ‘Newsnight’ presenter Emily Maitlis was upheld by the BBC’s Editorial Complaints Unit because she retweeted a Piers Morgan tweet which was critical of the Conservative Government.