Media Law: Evaluating Ofcom's Impact on UK Broadcast Journalism

This essay provides an evaluation of the UK's broadcast journalism regulation, focusing on the role and effectiveness of Ofcom (Office of Communications). It references Chris Frost's article, "Ofcom: An evaluation of UK broadcast journalism regulation of news and current affairs," which examines Ofcom's duties, complaint adjudication processes, and impact on program makers' decisions. The essay summarizes Ofcom's functions, including ensuring optimal use of the electromagnetic spectrum, maintaining high-quality electronic communications, and protecting audiences from privacy infringements. It also discusses the broadcasting code and the types of complaints received, ranging from blasphemy to racism and privacy breaches. While acknowledging Ofcom's success in improving journalism and reducing non-compliance, the essay suggests considering the participation of media owners in regulation to prevent biases and the potential for regulating press and tabloids to address information dissemination from multiple sources.

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Introduction
Ofcom: An evaluation of UK Broadcast journalism regulation of news and current affairs
is an article by Christ Frost and talks about ethics in UK journalism.
According to the author, Ofcom is the broadcasting regulatory of the UK which came
into existence in 2003. The body is setup under communications ACT, and some of the duties
include; ensuring that there is optimal use of electro-magnetic spectrum, high-quality range of
electric communications, and protecting audiences against infringement of privacy and privacy.
This literature aims at looking at Ofcom's activities about its functions in the UK. The literature
particularly identifies the trends in complaints issued against Ofcom and give necessary
recommendations on changes that can be made. In the UK, when people want to complain about
unfair treatment or the standards of broadcasting, they complain to Ofcom. According to the
author, for a complaint to be made, a form has to be ordered by phone, or by post and can also be
downloaded online. Once Ofcom receives the complaint they review and when a case is
established they forward to a broadcaster so that a response is given. When a response is given,
Ofcom upholds or resolves the dispute. If a dispute is not resolved, Ofcom makes arrangements
on adjudication. In regards to cases which are more serious, more serious consequences are
involved. This may include suspension of license, financial fines or penalties. Ofcom also
gathers data and publishes reports after every fortnight and annually on complaints and statistics
gathered (Frost, 2012 pg. 34-50).
This piece also talks about Ofcom's broadcasting code which requires them to have a
code, which complaints can be measured against. The codes are legislated under The
broadcasting Act Commission. Different issues have drawn some complaints with Jerry Springer

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being the first. It was said to be blasphemous .47, 000 complaints. Other shows have also
attracted complaints based on racism and breaches of privacy.
Under the statute, Ofcom has the power to issue sanctions. This distinguishes it from the
Press complaints commission. From years of dealing with issues arising from media, Frost
asserts that there is no research that shows certain penalties were effective in enforcing good
practice. However, sanctions are seen as good. Recent outcries have left observers wondering as
to whether Ofcom should have the role of regulating media, or there should be joint regulation
when it comes to press and tabloids. Ofcom has been effective in regulating broadcasting with
reduced incidences and non-compliance. Therefore, journalism has improved and reduced the
number of complaints. The breaches have seen mostly come from error in judgment and
misunderstandings.
The author of this article focuses on the Laws covering regulation in UK ad majorly Ofcom as a
regulator. The author mentions Broadcasting Commission which works in parallel with Ofcom,
but Ofcom has a greater reach and powers when it comes to regulating the media. Ofcom' s role
seems to be key in regulating Media in the U.K., protecting privacy and promoting responsible
broadcasting. This article portrays a regulatory body which does much for the broadcasting in the
UK. The author succeeds in showing how journalism ethical standards are achieved. A
broadcaster who does not stick to ethics does not go unpunished.
This article passes its message clearly to the target audience and most importantly, covers
most of the policies involved in regulating media. These legislations give a wider perspective in
educating the audience the basis of Ofcom's regulations and the extent. This literature is also
informative on the processes involved in media regulation. This is an excellent piece, and it is

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very informative on ethics and journalism. However, the author should have also talked more
about other existing bodies like Broadcasting Cooperation. Given the above, the participation of
media owners in the regulation can be important to prevent biases from Ofcom. Also, regulations
can be put in place to regulate press and tabloids. This is because when broadcasters are checked,
on one hand, not regulating press and tabloids could also lead to the negative impacts being
avoided as they also spread information.

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Bibliography
Frost, C., 2012. Ofcom: An evaluation of UK broadcast journalism regulation of news and current
affairs. Ethical Space, 9(1), pp.22-31.