Content standards
The Charter gives Ofcom responsibility for regulating the content standards of the BBC’s television, radio and on-demand programmes.
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code contains the rules which the BBC is required to follow so that BBC viewers and listeners are appropriately protected. The Code’s rules for due impartiality and due accuracy (Section 5), elections and referendums (Section 6), commercial references in television (Section 9) and commercial communications in radio (Section 10) apply to the BBC for the first time under the new Charter.
Review of how we regulate the BBC
As we approach the mid-point in the BBC’s current Charter period, we have been reviewing the BBC’s performance and our future regulation of it.
Ofcom is clear that the BBC needs to make its complaints process simpler and more straightforward for people to navigate. It must also be more transparent and open about its decision-making.
To help address audience concerns, we have updated our determinations for handling BBC complaints (PDF, 255.9 KB). This now directs the BBC to publish the reasoning behind any final stage decision not to uphold complaints about due impartiality and due accuracy.
Rules for party political and referendum broadcasts (PDF, 206.9 KB)
This document sets out requirements on the BBC in relation to party political and referendum broadcasts.
Ofcom has published an arrangement (PDF, 528.8 KB) with the BBC for how we will consider and give an opinion on BBC online material.
Procedures for handling complaints relating to BBC online material
This document sets out the procedures that Ofcom will normally follow when handling complaints about the BBC’s online content, and how we will provide an opinion on whether the BBC has observed the relevant editorial guidelines for its online material.
Procedures for handling BBC content standards complaints, investigations and sanctions
These documents sets out the procedures that Ofcom will normally follow when handling complaints about BBC television, radio and on-demand programmes, and how we will conduct investigations and sanctions.
This document sets out the protocol for communication between the BBC and Ofcom in cases which fall under the BBC’s procedures for (1) self-initiated investigations of potential breaches of editorial standards and (2) fast-tracked cases.
The Charter gives Ofcom responsibility for regulating the content standards of the BBC’s television, radio and on-demand programmes.
This section gathers together consultations, regulatory statements, news releases and other useful information relating to content standards. It covers the period from September 2016 when the draft Charter and Agreement were published, until 3 April 2017 when the transfer of regulation became effective.
- Statement: Ofcom's rules on due impartiality, due accuracy, elections and referendums. In this statement, we explain the approach we have taken to regulating BBC editorial content in the areas of due impartiality, due accuracy, elections and referendums. This statement was published on 9 March 2017.
- Statement: Broadcasting Code Review: Preparing for Ofcom’s new responsibilities for regulating the BBC. In this statement, we explain the amendments we have made to the Broadcasting Code (other than for the areas listed above) so that it can apply in full to BBC broadcasting services, and where relevant to BBC on-demand programme services. This statement was published on 29 March 2017.
- Statement: Procedures for handling BBC content standards complaints, investigations and sanctions. In this statement, we explain the procedures that Ofcom will normally follow when handling complaints about BBC television, radio and on-demand programmes, and how we will conduct investigations and sanctions. This statement was published on 29 March 2017.