These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Programme Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Showing Complaints & Interventions Report for WORKING WONDERS
Channel: ITV1 (Carlton)
Date & time: Thursday 26 June: 7.30pm
Category: Miscellaneous
Complaint from: Staff monitoring
Background
Working Wonders was a series of four 'business makeover' programmes on Carlton London. The programmes were sponsored by UK Online for Business.
Issue
At the end of each programme, a free booklet was promoted. It was entitled Doing Business Online, and was wholly UK Online branded. Viewers were told they could obtain the booklet by phoning the UK Online number or logging on to the UK Online web site.
Section 8.1(i) of the Programme Code states that the availability of materials that can demonstrate a clear relationship to the programme can be promoted if editorially justified. The licensee must retain editorial responsibility for these materials.
Assessment
Carlton said that the booklet promoted at the end of the programme had been carefully discussed internally prior to transmission and that they had ensured that the title of the programme would be included on the slide. Carlton also said that they had refused to include any commercial partners affiliated to UK Online, and that they were happy to underwrite and endorse the editorial content of the booklet. Carlton therefore felt that, bearing in mind the generic and uncontroversial content of the booklet, they had exercised sufficient editorial control.
Staff considered that simply endorsing the content of the sponsor's booklet did not amount to editorial control being retained by the broadcaster. While the subject matter of the booklet related broadly to the content of the programmes, the booklet was, as Carlton pointed out, generic and was not specific to Working Wonders.
Conclusion
The promotion of the sponsor's booklet at the end of these programmes breached section 8.1(i) of the Programme Code.
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