The document outlines the role and purpose of the BBC's legal and libel compliance. It discusses the BBC's requirements for impartiality, fairness to contributors, and obtaining consent. It also notes the media aspects covered include TV, radio, and online. The legal implications of these policies impact production by requiring anonymity, informed consent, respectful treatment of interviewees, coverage of multiple viewpoints, and distinguishing opinion from fact.

1. BBC Compliance
Legal & Libel

2. Role and Purpose

3. Role and Purpose
• Impartiality - the BBC must cover all viewpoints fairly and
give “due weight” to minority opinions. They must be
inclusive. The BBC cannot offer an opinion on any story,
they are purely representing different viewpoints to their
audience.
• Fairness, Contributors and Consent - the BBC must
treat all contributors and their opinions with respect and
fairness. Consent from individuals must be obtained and
they must be made aware of the full implications before
giving consent. People referred to in news stories or real
people/organisations portrayed in dramas must be
represented fairly and with respect.

4. Legal Powers

5. Legal Powers

6. Media Aspects Covered
• TV
• Radio
• Online

7. How do these legal implications impact
on the production of a media product
• Anonymity must be taken into account during production, e.g. making sure
interviews aren’t filmed in front of the interviewee’s house
• Informed consent must be obtained before any interview takes place
• Those being interviewed must be told the implications, terms and conditions of
their interview, and what is and isn’t guaranteed
• Presenters must treat all interviewees with respect and not intimidate or
humiliate them
• The BBC must cover many different viewpoints in a story
• The BBC must aim to give “due weight” to all viewpoints
• Opinion must be clearly distinguished from fact when covering controversial and
sensitive topics