Prep Work 4.1

Case Study OFCOM and Benefit Street 2014 and Channel 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkrX5J73Vi4 

What is the debate?

The debate is whether it is okay being a poverty porn barrent

• Against- Benefits is a damaging distortion of society's most vulnerable.

• For- people on benefit street are always looking the blame someone; the government, landlords anyone else but themselves

Society is seen thriving on the hate for the people on benefit street, the use of social media (twitter) has the power to change someones initial thought.   



What are OFCOMs aims, regulatory practices, is it statutory or non?

Ofcom are Statuary body which corresponds with the government.


OFCOM aims

• Ofcom will regulate with a clearly articulated and publicly reviewed annual plan, with stated policy objectives.
• Ofcom will intervene where there is a specific statutory duty to work towards a public policy goal which markets alone cannot achieve.
• Ofcom will operate with a bias against intervention, but with a willingness to intervene firmly, promptly and effectively where required.
• Ofcom will strive to ensure its interventions will be evidence-based, proportionate, consistent, accountable and transparent in both deliberation and outcome.
• Ofcom will always seek the least intrusive regulatory mechanisms to achieve its policy objectives.
• Ofcom will research markets constantly and will aim to remain at the forefront of technological understanding.

Regulatory Practices

• OFCOM deal with an accumulation of complaints from the public then tend to act on it withdrawing the programme. 
• OFCOM also are able to cancel any broadband if they have broken their contract.
• OFCOM can also fine channels or a production teams for showing inappropriate content.