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Following serious criticism of the use of premium rate phone calls in competitions, which has included the BBC as well as commercial broadcasters (see IRIS 2007-8: 11), the BBC has issued a Code of Conduct for Competitions and Voting and new rules, which severely restrict the use of such phone calls. The new Code applies to all interactive competitions and votes whether or not they involve phone calls. The competitions should never be run to make a profit, and only used for fund raising for BBC-supported charitable initiatives. The key principles are that competitions and votes are conducted in...

On 1 January 2008, following the exercise of powers conferred by the Films Act 1985 (Schedule 1, paragraph 10(1), the Films (Certification) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 came into force. The 2007 Regulations amend the Films (Certification) Regulations 2006. As a result of the amendment, it is now the case, amongst other changes, that a “report from an independent accountant is required only where an application for final certification of a film as a British film under Schedule 1 to the Films Act 1985 seeks to rely on points available in paragraphs 4A(5), 4B(5) or 4C(5) (principal photography and...

The European Commission approved 12 UK film support schemes funded under the EC State aid rules until 31 December 2012, the Commission concluded that the schemes are in line with the EC State aid rules on film support. The schemes’ purpose is to support culturally British films. They are administered by the UK Film Council, Scottish Screen, Northern Ireland Screen and the Film Agency for Wales and provide over EUR 30.6 million for films each year. Films that receive support are required to satisfy the definition of a culturally British film. Not only do the schemes support the production of films,...

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has rejected a complaint from the West Midlands Police about the Dispatches programme broadcast by Channel 4 on 15 January 2007 reporting the observations of an undercover reporter who had visited a number of mosques and Islamic organisations in Britain and had found examples of extremist speech. The programme had claimed to find “…an ideology of bigotry and intolerance spreading through Britain with its roots in Saudi Arabia”. The programme included secretly filmed footage and recordings of speeches, which it claimed to be homophobic, anti-Semitic, sexist...

The UK Advertising Standards Authority has prohibited the display of two posters advertising the film “Shoot Em Up”. This followed 55 complaints, objecting on a number of grounds including that: the posters (a) glorified and glamorised gun crime; (b) were insensitive to the families of victims of gun crimes; (c) were offensive and unduly threatening; and (d) were capable of causing distress to children. The ASA considered the matter under various Clauses of the Code on Advertising Practice (2.2; 5.1; 5.2; 9.1; 11.1). Two posters were held to be glamorising guns - as opposed to simply reflecting...