United Kingdom

[GB] Radio Authority Imposes Maximum Fines

IRIS 2000-1:1/22

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

The Radio Authority is responsible for regulating non-BBC radio output in the U.K. under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. There are several different courses of action open to it to take against an offending station: it may request that an apology, or correction, be broadcast; it may issue a formal warning; or, it may impose a penalty e.g., a fine or the suspension, shortening or revocation of a licence.

At the end of 1999, the Authority imposed a fine of 50 000 Pounds Sterling each on two local radio stations: Hallam FM and Xfm. This sum represents the maximum monetary penalty the Authority can impose. Both stations were fined for breaches of the Broadcasting Act and the Authority's Programme Code.

Xfm's offences involved broadcasts during its breakfast show. These included descriptions of bestiality and "highly offensive" language and "ill-judged" references to sexual matters and pornography. Hallam FM's offences involved broadcasts during late-night phone-ins. During these there were "gross breaches" of the statutory requirements regarding taste and decency and incitement to crime, including a "gratuitous" description of paedophilia, and the "condoning of and encouragement" of rape. Additionally, Hallam FM failed to provide the Authority with logging tapes relating to a separate complaint.