British Media Law

Brief Description of the Race Relations Act (1976).

As part of the Race Relations Act (1976), media sectors (film, TV, newspapers, magazines, internet etc...) are found unlawful to broadcast or publish offensive or discriminating material that effects different ethnicity within the public, which come under the grounds of discrimination of gender, race, religion, nationality or ethnic background. It is also clear that the media sectors must publicly promote racial equality.
This applies to foreign, ethnic and cultural authorities.

http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/viewglossary.asp?gid=557


Brief Description of the Obscene Publications Acts (1959 & 1964)

The Obscene Publications Act states that no media sector can broadcast or publish any material that is found to be obscene throughout the public sector. It is also against the law, if a single person publishes or broadcasts any material, that is in ownership, possession or control.

http://www.uddingston.s-lanark.sch.uk/security/obscene.htm

The "Watershed" is the time of day (9pm - 5:30am) where broadcasters throughout the TV industry are allowed to broadcast "adult content", which may include, offensive language, gambling, violence etc...
This broadcast time is unsuitable for children.
The Watershed does not apply to radio.

http://ask.ofcom.org.uk/help/television/watershed

Brief Description of the Representation of People (1983)

The Representation of People Act (1983) are the guidelines of how much time is allowed per broadcaster to broadcast different political parties within a country.
The broadcaster are also not allowed to be biased towards a particular party.

Brief Description of the Public Order Act (1986)

The Public Order Act (1986) is a law which does not allow the broadcast of offensive material that effect ethical/national groups within a country.
Offensive material concerned include, drugs, sex, violence, language, racism, threats etc...

Brief Description of the Sex Discrimination Act (1975)


The Sex Discrimination Act '75 states that it is unlawful to discriminate an individual in a job/workplace/training program etc... surrounding the sexuality or marital status.
This means that you must not question (in a respectful way) or harass a work colleague into sexual harassment.

http://www.redgoldfish.co.uk/viewglossary.asp?gid=597



Brief Description of the Broadcasting Act (1990)

The Broadcasting Act '90 allowed the creation of Channel 5 and multichannel satellite television.