Formal Controls on the Media

STARTER: Guess the subject of todays lesson.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to identify and explain different formal controls on the media.

Students will be able to outline how effective the formal controls on the media are.

Students will be able to use relevant examples to evaluate and discuss how effective formal controls on the media are.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR

THE MASS MEDIA?

THE UK: A DEMOCRACY

Freedom of speech and

expression is allowed

Elections are held during

which people can vote freely for whichever candidate

they choose

The legal

system and

police force are

independent of

the

government

One

individual or

one elite

group rules

There is tight

government

control of the

press and

television

FORMAL LIMITS TO FREEDOM

THE LAW

TASK: Using the statements around the room fill in your ‘law’ grid on your worksheet

FORMAL LIMITS TO FREEDOM

THE LAW

Is the reach of the law starting to expand?

HOW DOES THE MEDIA ‘GET AROUND’- LAW

THE LAW

TASK: Looking at your laws, give a current example using the clues you have that seems to break or comes close to

breaking the law and discuss – does it?

ENFORCING THESE LAWS?

THE LAW

TASK: Each table take two laws and discuss and feedback how they are enforced. Easily or Not?

DOES SOMEBODY MONITOR

EVERY PAGE IN

THE PAPER, ON THE

INTERNET? Could they?

Press Complaints Commission

•Voluntary body appointed by newspaper industry

•Set up to maintain a certain standard of journalism

•Has no real powers to enforce effective sanctions as a result of complaints

Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA)

•Include all non BBC tv and radio stations

•Regulated by Ofcom who license all of the companies that operate in the private sector and are responsible for:

-Content-Quality-Complaints

OFCOM (Office of communications)

Ofcom is the communications regulator.They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms and mobiles, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.They make sure that people in the UK get the best from their communications services and are protected from scams and sharp practices, while ensuring that competition can thrive.Ofcom operates under the Communications Act 2003. This detailed Act of Parliament spells out exactly what Ofcom should do –they can do no more or no less than is spelt out in the Act.The Act says that Ofcom’s general duties should be to further the interests of citizens and of consumers. Meeting these two duties is at the heart of everything they do.Accountable to Parliament, they are involved in advising and setting some of the more technical aspects of regulation, implementing and enforcing the law.Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks, and grant-in-aid from the Government.

WORDFILL

OFCOM (Office of communications)

How much is it funded?The Effect?

OFCOM (Office of communications)

TASK: From the website identify and briefly describe 3 issues Ofcom are dealing with.

THE BBC

TASK: Read your BBC handout and answer the questions.

A BIT DIFFERENT

THE BBC

TASK: Read the text - What happened with the Russell Brand and Jonathon Ross scandal?

PLENARY

Plenary Task: Create a ‘poster for dummies’ on the formal controls of the media using the key bits of information you

have learnt today