Ofcom Update: Strengthening consumer protection in participation television

Ofcom announced today measures to strengthen viewer and consumer protection in participation TV programmes through new mandatory licence conditions for television broadcasters.

 

The new licence conditions set out today will ensure that audiences, including those who choose to participate in programmes, are adequately protected and will help restore trust in participation TV by allowing early detection of compliance issues. These new conditions bring to an end the process initiated by the Ayre inquiry and its recommendations.

 

The new licence conditions state that:

 

* Where television broadcasters invite viewers to participate in programmes, they are directly responsible for the handling of all communications - whether by phone, email or post - from viewers.

 

* Television broadcasters must obtain independent third-party verification of all systems used in PRS voting and competitions. Ofcom will undertake an initial 12 to 18 month programme of unannounced spot-checks to ensure broadcasters are complying with this requirement.

 

News release
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/02/nr_20080219

 

Statement
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/participationtv/statement/

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6 out of 10 people don't know what Audio Description is. Do you?

Audio Description (AD) is a free TV service available on over 70 channels for people who have difficulty seeing what is happening on the screen. Like a narrator telling a story, an additional commentary describes body language, expressions and movements - allowing you to hear what you might not be able to see, so you don't miss a thing.

Audio Description: making the story clearer

To find out more about AD visit www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tech/audiodescription

Ofcom is supporting the AD Awareness Campaign 1 Feb – 14 March 2008

 

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