Russel Brand/Johnathan Ross phone call in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqt9rZR8pzk

In 2008 During the Russell Brand Show on BBC Radio 2, with Johnathan Ross as a guest they rang up Andrew Sach and got though to his voice mail where they then made several messages about his grand-daughter the first way talking about a false allegation of her sleeping with Russell Brand, this comment made by Johnathan Ross. The next two messages where meant to apologies however they made it worse. It resulted in the BBC getting fined by OFCOM £150,000, and Ross was suspended for 12 weeks without pay.

What, in your opinion, was the problem with this broadcast?

In my opinion, there where many problems with this broadcast, firstly being the fact that this wasn't alive broadcast it was pre-recorded meaning that the producers or regulators could of pulled it from circulation. However as we know this had knock on effects for both Johnathan Ross and the BBC being fined by the regulators  OF-COM. Another problem is the blatant harassment of an elderly man - where they named a family member and gave away private details. This was obvious from watching the video clip.

Why was this particular case of blatant disregard of OFCOM regulations highlighted?

I see this as a direct blatant disregard of OFCOM regulations, as BBC Radio 2 is recognized and known for it toned down, mature conversations, enter the Russell Brand show where offensive language was used to harass an elderly man (whether they classed it as light hearted banter at the time). An example of this is when Johnathan Ross said that Russell f**ked your grand-daughter.

What was hoped to be gained by OFCOM punishing BBC/Ross?

Ofcom as a regulator need to act upon these incidents so that the same or other broadcaster don't make these mistakes again, or feel they can get away with it this is why Ofcom fined BBC £150,000. This stamps out the problem this is done by many regulators in any industry - serious punishments stop issues like this occurring in the future.

Was it right to punish Brand/Ross? Why?

I feel it was right to punish them because it was a despicable action that they carried out, although I think a major blame was that the producers still let the show air later on - because they should of known that this did not co-hear to the regulations that OFCOM have set out.

What do you think should have happened to Brand/Ross?

As we know Johnathan Ross was put out of work for 12 weeks without being paid, this I feel was a justifiable punishment, however Russell Brand carries this image with him, the idea of him is that it speaks what he feels and raises controversial issues. However I feel that he should of been out of work like Johnathan Ross was.

Does this case highlight the need to regulate the media?

I feel it does highlight the need to regulate the media, this is because if without these regulating bodies the media would  be filled  with these type of controversial issues. It results in the privacy of people and also stops lies being spread in the media such as ASA which covers adverts they often stop adverts that promote a image that is not true.

Advertising Standards Authority

What is the stated purpose of the ASA?

The ASA regulate the UK advertising across all media there work includes acting on complaints and proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.

When did the ASA take on resposibility for regulating advertisements on TV and Radio?

The ASA did not always have the responsibility of regulating the TV and Radio advertisments, but in November of 2004 the ASA was handed the control regulations responsibilities for TV and Radio advertisments from the state bodies who were the former regulatory body for advertisments.

What had it previously regulated?

Before ASA where able to cover broadcasted media i.e. Tv and Radio adverts they previously existed to cover printed media.

Now spend some time looking at some of the adjusications made by the ASA and by the PCC.

Press Complaints Commision

In 2012 what proportion of complaints made to the PCC where about accuracy in reporting?

 

In 2012 the proportion of complaints made to the PCC about the accuracy in reports was 61%.

 

What proportion of compalints where related to intrusion into privacy?

 

In 2012 the proportion of complaints made to the PCC about the intrusion of privacy was 15%.

 

Who was the code drawn up by?

 

The code was drawn up by the editors themselves and also covers the way in which the news is gathered by the journalists and editors and also how this news is reported.

 

How do the PCC justify their self regulation of their industry?

 

 

 

How is the PCC funded?

 

The PCC is funded via newspaper and magazines. A levy is also raised by the Press Standard Board of Finance which helps to pay for the PCC, also the PCC receives no funding from the Government at all. This does not make much sense as the PCC will be less obligated to punish newspapers and magazines more severely with fines etc as they are the ones that are paying for the PCC itself.

 

List the 16 main headings of the code of practise of the PCC

 

The sixteen main headings are:

1. Accuracy
2. Oppurtunity to reply
3. Privacy
4. Harassment
5. Intrusion into grief or shock
6. Children
7. Children in sex cases
8. Hospitals
9. Reporting in crime
10. Clandestine devices and subterfuge
11. Victims of sexual assault
12. Discrimination
13. Financial Journalism
14. Confidential Sources
15. Witness Payments In Criminal Trails
16. Payment To Criminals

Ofcom Regulation

Which media does Ofcom handle complaints about?

Ofcom as a regulation body cover many areas of the media, these areas are;

Television and radio: Ofcom licenses all UK commercial television and radio services in the UK.

Telephone and broadband: Ofcom regulates the UK telecoms sector, defining and enforcing the conditions by which all mobile and fixed-line phone and broadband companies must abide.

Spectrum licensing ad protection: Ofcom is responsible for the management, regulation, assignment and licensing of the electromagnetic spectrum in the UK

Postal services: In October 2010 the UK Government announced plans for Ofcom to inherit the functions of Postcom as part of a wider set of public service austerity measures

Consultations: Ofcom makes extensive use of consultations with industry and the public to help it make decisions based upon the evidence presented.

What aspects of a programme broadcast on commercial radio and TV can consider?

The aspects that Ofcom can consider about TV and commercial radio are a wide variety. This can range from the content of the programme or commercial radio broadcast. It includes harmful or offensive material and unfair treatment or infringement of privacy.

What issues can it consider relating to programmes broadcast by the BBC?



What issues can it consider relating to sponsorship?

Companies can have their products represented on TV shows, this is known as sponsorship. However is a TV show uses the product without permission then Ofcom will step in as they regulate this issue.

An example of this is in TV shows its very apparent that the logo of the product is on full view, if there is no sponsorship to be seen the item would not have a logo on it or any feature to suggest it being a specific brand.

What sanctions can impose on media institutions?

Ofcom can:
Direct a broadcaster not to repeat a advertisement or a television show
Direct a broadcaster to publish a correction or judgement
They can also fine a broadcasteer or revoke a license it can even shorten one this excludes bbc, channel 4 or S4C

What is not within its remit?

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