[cma-l] Climate Radio programmes available!

[Martin Steers]

we have to also remember that ofcom is a complaint led regulator.. so if
you broadcast material and no one complains then its not an issue..

On 30 January 2015 at 12:49, Two Lochs Radio <tlr at gairloch.co.uk> wrote:

>  The Ofcom code is well-written and the associated guidance documents are
> required reading for all station managers, but one problem is that they
> tend to leave it entire to the station to decide on balance - Ofcom will
> not give decision on a specific case in advance, but will step in once it
> thinks a broadcast is in breach.
>
> A typical example is the guidance on political or public controversy:
>
> ...Whether a “matter of political or industrial controversy and matter
> relating to current public policy” is being dealt with in a programme will
> depend on a range of factors. Just because a ‘political’ or ‘policy’ matter
> is referred to in a programme, or broadcasters deal with particular matters
> that elicit strong emotions, does not mean that the special impartiality
> rules are engaged. Conversely, just because a number of individuals and
> institutions, or the majority of the audience to a service, share the same
> viewpoint on a contentious issue, does not necessarily mean that a matter
> is not, for example, a matter of political or industrial controversy. ...
>
> So it might be, or it might not be a matter of controversy - I'm sure
> fossil-fuel industry people still maintain it is a controversy!
>
> The law, and as a consequence the Ofcom code, requires "special
> impartiality" to be shown on 'major matters relating to current public
> policy', and there's hardly a more major matter of public policy than
> climate change.
>
> I guess it's down to each of us to make sure we have read the codes and
> the guidance, and make the best decision we can.
>
> Alex
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Alan Coote <alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk>
> *To:* tlr at gairloch.co.uk ; 'The Community Media Association Discussion
> List' <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> *Sent:* Friday, January 30, 2015 10:53 AM
> *Subject:* RE: [cma-l] Climate Radio programmes available!
>
>  I haven’t listen to the Climate Radio programmes yet so this is a
> general comment.
>
>
>
> There is bias of one form or another in all media – even broadcasting.
> Take the disproportionate airtime given to Nigel Farage – (I make not
> political point here). For a while last year UKIP managed to make sure he
> was available for comment on practically every subject going.
>
>
>
> As long as one doesn’t fall outside the Ofcom broadcast codes then, the
> acid test I think is to be content that there isn’t “undue bias” given to a
> single point of view across the programme. That goes for politics as much
> as it does for local campaign groups or climate change.
>
>
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Alan
>
>
>
>
>
>
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