ITV Issues Guidelines On Factual Drama

ITV yesterday issued a statement of Best Practice, covering factual drama on ITV; the statement was issued by Stuart Prebble, Controller of Network Factual Programmes, and is a voluntary supplement to the ITC’s Programme Code.

The categories covered by the statement are drama documentaries, where matters are examined from a journalistic angle, and dramatisation of a true story, whose main purpose is the recounting of an arresting or illuminating story.

It wants to stop producers straying from the truth to make such documentaries more interesting, and to give greater rights to people portrayed in true-life stories. For example, characters will not be shown drinking, smoking, swearing or having sex unless it is established that they did actually do it. Equally, violence will only be used if there is a clear journalistic purpose. People named on air will be contacted beforehand.