Ofcom extends broadcasting review

Ofcom is extending its review of the rules governing content on TV following the government’s plans to soften the rules surrounding product placement.

In June, the media regulator launched a review of the current Broadcasting Code, which has been in place since July 2005 and governs the rules for the TV and radio industries.

The current rules cover issues around a number of broadcasting areas, such as the protection of children, harm and offence, fairness and privacy, and commercial references in programmes.

Ofcom is reviewing all the main areas of the Code, including a range of new rules that have been proposed for commercial radio.

The review also aims to clarify other parts of the code to help broadcasters to avoid compliance issues in the future, with a particular focus on audience competitions and voting, and sexual material.

In addition, Ofcom will look at whether not-for-profit organisations should be allowed to fund programmes about their own activities or interests.

The regulator will release its final revisions to the code by the end of the year.