ITC Programme Complaints And Interventions Report

The ITC has published its report detailing programme complaints and interventions made in December.

No programmes broadcast in December resulted in significant interventions or the imposition of a sanction. There were, however, a number of programmes that raised important regulatory issues and a number of complaints.

Sky News was one case in point. On 8 October 1996, Sky News led with the secret filming of Princess Diana and Major James Hewitt. The tape was shown repeatedly on the assumption that it was genuine. It was later discovered to be a hoax. Had the tape been genuine BSkyB would have been guilty of a serious breach of the ITC’s code concerning hidden cameras. The story was first released by The Sun newspaper. The station was also found to give undue prominence to The Sun’s logo, especially as it is owned by the largest shareholder in BSkyB, News International.

BSkyB has not disputed that it breached the ITC code and it has promised to give further compliance training to editorial and production staff to avoid a reoccurrence of the error. No further action is to be taken.

A number of viewers also complained about the December 3 episode of Soldier Soldier. Eight viewers said that they were disturbed by scenes of fighting and injury. The ITC did not feel that the incidents of combat shown were unexpected or unjustified. Before the programme there was an announcement warning that some viewers may find some scenes disturbing. The ITC said that the incidents of violence were brief and shown after the watershed.. The ITC accepted that the programme was acceptable and did not breach its programme codes.

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