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Ofcom is the body that regulates the television and radio industries
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Objectives:
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To understand that there are various regulations on decency with which organisations have to comply
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To understand that different social groups will have a different definition of what constitutes acceptable behaviour
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To understand that different cultural groups will have a different definition of what constitutes acceptable behaviour
Decency
All broadcast media is governed by regulation concerning the content of the programmes and the balance of the programmes that they transmit.
This regulation is dealt with by an independent organisation called Ofcom. The advertising itself is regulated by the Advertising Standards Agency, which deals with all advertising in all media – even billboards. The levels of fines and sanctions that can be exercised by the organisations vary considerably – in theory, for persistent and serious breaches of the rules Ofcom can remove a broadcaster’s licence.
The BBC is not subject to regulation by either body – complaints are directed at the board of governors. There is a persistent argument that any attempt at control, or censorship, of what is broadcast constitutes a restriction of freedom of speech. Which could make a topic for an interesting discussion?
If we consider different social groupings purely on the basis of age or gender, those groups will have different views on what is, and is not, acceptable generally and specifically in the broadcast media. Different generations will have different views on humour, language, and dress codes, and how acceptable they find what they see and hear. A discussion with your grandparents (or even their parents) about their musical tastes might highlight this.
Similarly, there will be differences if the population is segmented on the basis of culture or religion, and the same discussions can be had here.
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