BBC EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

BBC Ethical Code How it imposes How it could affect How it could affect
constraints on media your product negatively? your product positively?
production?
Truth and Accuracy Truth and Accuracy My production may be This ethical code can affect
requires views given needs affected negatively by this my production positively as
to be accurate and ethic as it there may not be it will increase belief in the
supported with relevant a substantial amount of topic and enable those who
evidence from viable relevant evidence to support are eager to pass quick
sources. my views which could have judgement about grime
an affect on how I portray music and its contribution to
my message of how grime the level of crime in the UK
music affects young people. and help to grow a better
understanding of it.
Impartiality and Impartiality and Diversity This ethic may cause a This ethic will help broaden
Diversity of Opinions of Opinions requires conflict of interest amongst my production as it will
balanced, open-minded views the production and grime involve contrasting views and
by evaluating conflicting audience. Since my opinions which will therefore
arguments. Specific views production focuses on appeal to those especially
must not be promoted or individual views, I may need with no real interest in the
emphasised. It composes to find another way of not topic.
constraints on a media promoting or emphasising
production as it will ensure them.
a balanced and appealing
production.
Editorial Integrity and This particular ethical code The audience may feel less This will positively affect
Independence states that the views intrigued to watch or my production as it will
expressed in the media continue watching if the ensure that the audience
production aren’t influenced views are clearly influenced are able to relate to the
by political or governmental by governmental or political tone set through the
issues thereby improving issues as it will clearly show individual views expressed
the confidence of the to them that the views cant thereby increasing the level
audience in our decisions. be discussed in depth of appeal as grime music
because nothing about it can isn’t a popular genre
be changed. It wouldn’t amongst some people. It will
appeal to grime listeners help me meet the aspect of
regardless of how the remit of educate and
entertaining it may be for inform.
the reason that they feel
they are stereotyped by the
music itself by the
government.
Serving the public This basically requires a This ethic may affect the The audience are able to
interest media production to express level of appeal since it take in the views and
issues or report stories requires the views and opinions expressed
that hold some level stories to be highly therefore allowing those to
significance. It requires the informing. If too informing, give them own independent
stories or views to be highly my target audience may feel views on grime. It will help
informing when explained. too overloaded with a lot of the audience feel as though
Furthermore, it offers the information. My target they are involved in the
room for debate amongst audience need the discussion as a lot of young
the public of conflicting production to be less people aren’t given a say on
interests. informing and more these sorts of issues.
entertaining. It may also
move away from meeting the
BBC remit of the
production’s ability to
inform.
Fairness This simply requires the Legal action may be taken The audience will be willing
media production to carry against the documentary; to listen to any views or
 out fair procedures therefore people may not opinions expressed which
whereby those involved will watch the documentary. will allow me to express my
be treated fairly. thoughts through the
production.
Privacy This ethical code requires a This specific issue will If the privacy of others is
media production to respect require the documentary to kept private, no obligations
the privacy of the public involve a lot of views and will be taken against me and
interest. Furthermore, it opinions of the public. If the production itself.
states that the media they don’t feel comfortable
production must broadcast with their views being
relevant issues that hold broadcasted, and I to
some significance rather completely the opposite.
than exploiting unnecessary Some people may feel
issues that put certain offended by the
individuals at discomfort. documentary and may not
watch it. The information
may be important for the
documentary which will make
it hard for me to establish
my issues.
Harm and Offence This simply means that the If the audience feel as The audience will feel
production must reflect the though their views and respected and therefore
world as it is however opinions are offended in become respectful of the
ensure that information some way it will determine issues of what my
included doesn’t offend or what people will watch the production entails. This
harm anyone in particular. production. Furthermore, mainly applies to those who
some may find it necessary don’t have an interest in
to take legal action if they grime and the grime artists
are personally offended. who can be seen as the
contributors to the
increased level of crime.
Children This states that welfare of Grime itself is an aggressive If the thoughts of the
the children is kept in mind style of music which will children are kept in mind,
and also to ensure that it inevitably contain a few the production can
must be clearly stated if explicit words and therefore reach out to
not suitable for young metaphors. Legal obligations others which will enable me
people or children. may be taken against my to inform and educate young
production if not stated people and children. If I
that it is clearly not suitable clearly state that it not
to children. The negative suitable for children, the
aspect of this ethic is that production will be
it may determine whether or broadcasted.
not the production is
broadcasted which will
evidently mean that my
message isn’t given.
Accountability This focuses on the bbc’s People may feel as though I It will put the audience at
responsibility over their owe them something due to ease and therefore allow
audience and requires them my mishap, they may take them to gain respect in the
to admit mistakes of liberties as young people production which in turn will
mishap. today feel that they are help me reach out to a wide
owed something. audience since the
production is clearly going to
appeal to grime listeners and
artists.