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Ofcom, the UK Communications Regulator, has decided that Fox News, the US news channel broadcast on the digital satellite platform and licensed by Ofcom, had breached its Broadcasting Code. The Code provides that “[f]actual programmes or items or portrayals of factual matters must not materially mislead the audience” so as to cause harm or offence. The broadcast in question was in an episode of “Justice with Jeanine Pirro” on 11 January 2015, dealing with Islamic extremism after the Charlie Hebdo attack. One contributor, described as “an expert on the radicalism of the French Muslims”, stated that...

The BBC programme The Voice UK: the Live Final (a singing talent competition) breached Ofcom’s Rule 2.12 of its Code of Conduct for failing to take sufficient measures to avoid flashing lights during one performance, and as a consequence the broadcaster did not comply with Ofcom’s technical guidance to avoid photosensitive epilepsy (PSE). Such flashing lights can trigger seizures in persons susceptible to PSE. Rule 2.12 states that “Television broadcasters must take precautions to maintain low level of risk to viewers who have photosensitive epilepsy. Where it is not reasonably practicable to follow...

BBC World News (BBCWN) is a 24 hour international news and information channel owned by BBC Global News Limited (BBCGTV), a commercial subsidiary of the BBC, and funded through advertising and subscription. BBCGTV holds an Ofcom Licence. Ofcom investigated BBCWN for possible breaches of funding rules resulting from broadcasting documentaries without cost or at a nominal cost, as low as £1. Ofcom initially investigated 75 programmes broadcast on BBCWN, narrowing it to 14 programmes. Each programme lasted around 30 minutes and was funded by not-for-profit organisations operating largely in the areas...

Following the judgment of the European Court of Justicein Google Spain (Case C-131/12) (see IRIS 2014-6/3), many people sought to take advantage of the so-called “right to be forgotten”. Google, in processing these claims, developed the practice of notifying the news sources of the decision to de-list that story in response to a search on an individual’s name. As a result, a number of news outlets then ran stories about the de-listing which included a re-iteration of the data thatin the circumstances have been accepted as out-of-date. In this regard, an individual who had successfully requested...

Agreement has been reached by the UK Government, the British Board of Film Classification and Vevo and YouTube to make permanent a trial scheme for the rating of all music videos by artists signed to Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK and Warner Music UK. Independent music labels will also take part in a further six month phase of the project. The governing Conservative Party had included in its manifesto a commitment to introduce age rating for all music videos online. This development is part of the implementation of the commitment; the Government will also seek to extend it internationally by...