Media Regulation: blog tasks

 1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?

Very few industries leave the organisations or companies who operate in that sector to their own devices. Systems of regulation are required to provide rules and regulations to ensure that organisations operate fairly.

2) What is OFCOM responsible for?

OFCOM is responsible for regulating TV and radio.

3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?

The three that are the most important sections of broadcasting code are Protecting the Under-eighteens, Crime and Harm and offence as the media's purpose of the broadcasting code is to provide shows that are suitable for children before 9PM and avoid showing children that are unsuitable for them. These three are the most important as it could influence the children's mind and how they may act in the future.

4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?

I agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' during a time where a child could be watching as it contained violent scenes and could give an impact to the child. However, Channel 4 toned down the violent scenes to try and make it suitable for children and they tried to warn audiences about it. Also, parents wouldn't just leave their child watching the TV alone so they may give permission for their child to watch it.

5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice. 

• Opportunity to reply
• Harassment 
• Children
• Reporting of Crime
• Victims of Sexual Assault 

6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?

The Press Complaints Commission was criticised due to its lack of statutory powers and that there's very little is done to stop the newspaper producers who break the rules.

7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?

The Leveson enquiry is an inquiry into the “culture, practice and ethics of the press” was held, mainly as a result of the so-called phone hacking scandal. It was set up as it was already widespread to the public, it also looked at the other areas of press behaviour that were considered questionable.

8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?

In 2014 the PCC was replaced by the Independent Press Standard Organisation (IPSO)

9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?

My opinion on press regulation is that it could be risky for news publishers to just produce their own in a voluntary way without statutory regulation directly from the government. However, they agree to maintain professional standards and ethics and are able to maintain complaints. I think that newspapers should face statutory regulations as I think it's more on the professional side and I think it could help readers and audiences to have that protection and balance from opposing views. However, free press could be important in a democracy as it allows each individual to give their own opinions freely.

10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?

The internet is so difficult to regulate because I think that in this generation more people are using the internet in their own way, including the idea of producing and posting what their opinions are and perspectives, in private which could contradict to others. Some people also use fake accounts to maintain their identity in private while posting stuff in the internet which could possible affect other people's mindset.