This document discusses guidelines for factual programming and documentary filmmaking. It emphasizes the importance of truth, accuracy, impartiality and avoiding misleading audiences. Secret filming requires consent, and payments to sources may require broadcaster approval. Special care must be taken when involving minors or vulnerable adults. Programs must also avoid unfair treatment of individuals and significant privacy breaches without public interest. Criminality and controversial topics require additional care. The sample program summary emphasizes collecting a variety of interviews to maintain balance and avoid bias.

1. FACTUAL PROGRAMMING

2. Glossary
Biased Opinion – A biased opinion is when one persons own opinion is swayed further to one side of an argument or a debate.
Ofcom - Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in
the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority
from the Communications Act 2003. Ofcom's focus no longer includes some of the technical standards issues overseen by the
previous regulatory agencies.
Accuracy - The quality or state of being correct or precise. The ability to perform a task with precision.
Balance – Having a balanced opinion on a subject.
Impartiality - An inclination to weigh both views or opinions equally.
Objectivity - Judgment based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices.
Subjectivity - Judgment based on individual personal impressions and feelings and opinions rather than external facts.
Representation -The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented.
Access - Obtain, examine, or retrieve (data or a file).
Privacy -The state of being free from public attention.
Contract With Viewer – The unwritten rule that if a producer claims it will be a ‘factual programme, it must be 100% factual.

3. Ofcom Broadcasting Code: Programming Checklist
Truth & Accuracy
Channel 4 and Five take the issue of viewer trust very seriously. Viewers are allowed to expect that programmes are
accurate and true and the audience must not be misled. This duty applies to all types of programming, including
entertainment programmes with factual elements. Portraying real events, whether in documentary, features, factual
entertainment, drama or any other programme, which the viewer is permitted to take at face value, must respect truth and
accuracy. Programmes have to be completely honest and must not mislead viewers.
Reconstructions
All reconstructions have to I love dick be completely fair and accurate. If there is a risk that viewers might be
misled, reconstructions should be labelled as such to avoid confusion
Secret Filming
Normally, people must not be filmed or recorded secretly for the inclusion of a programme unless there has been consent
from the broadcaster in advance. Before any secret filming undergoes, there are detailed guidelines that must be followed.
Payments
Payments cannot be made to sources or contributors without reference and the agreement of the broadcaster.
However, this does not include out-of-pocket costs e.g. to cover meals and taxi fares, which are unlikely to be problematic.
It is essential that you gain advice from the programme lawyer before making or promising to pay a convicted or confessed
criminal.
Dealing with Contributors
If advertising for contributors, the wording of adverts should be approved by the commissioning editor and programme
lawyer. Contributors should take part in programmes on the basis of their informed consent. Consent should normally be in
the form of a signed release form, although consent on camera may be satisfactory. Trying to gain an unscheduled
interview (e.g doorstep) needs to be approved by the programme lawyer. All interviews must be edited in a fair manner. If
filming with the police or other authorities, seek advice from the programme lawyer.

4. People under 18
You must take extra care when involving someone who is under the age of 18 in your programme, regarding the
physical, emotional welfare and the dignity of people under 18. Parental consent will be required for individuals under 16
appearing in programmes, unless their contribution is minor and uncontroversial. Similar care must be taken when using
‘vulnerable adults’ within the programme, for example, mental disorders.
Fairness and Privacy
We must avoid the unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes. Any significant breach of privacy of a
person or organisation, in the making or broadcast of a programme, must be warranted by the public interest.
Criminality
Programmes involving criminals or about criminality require special care and are likely to be legally contentious.
Impartiality
Programmes dealing with matters of political or industrial controversy or matters relating to current public policy should
be duly impartial.
Potentially Offensive Material
Material with the potential to cause offence e.g. strong language, violence, sexual violence, explicit sexual portrayal etc.
must always be justifiable by the context. The commissioning editor, on the advice of the programme lawyer, will ensure
that an on-air warning is given to viewers, where appropriate.
Commercial References
Programmes should not give undue prominence to commercial products or services. Product placement is prohibited.
Sponsored programmes must not contain promotional references to the sponsor, its activities or products or services.

5. Aileen – Life and Death of a Serial Killer
Nick Broomfield kept his documentary fairly
balanced. He did this by using a good selection
of interviews from friends/family along side
interviews from authorities, members of
government judges, and witnesses. His
documentary consisted of two sides , making it
non prejudice and unbiased. However, because
some of Aileen’s opinions made it look like Nick
was being biased towards Aileen’s death, but in
fact it was just the strong views made by some
of the interviewees.

6. My Documentary
In my documentary, I am going to try and keep it as balanced as possible.
Although there is no ‘debate’ within my documentary, I will collect a variety of
interviews from subject specialists, friends/family, the main protagonist etc. This
will give a great range of opinions to keep the documentary unbiased and non
prejudice. The research will create the opportunity to gather information that
will help produce questions for the interviews. As the main person is under the
age of 18, we will have to receive consent from the parents before the
production begins. As the documentary will be shot on a low budget, there’ll be
no payments to the main person or even interviewees. The production will be
created with equipment that is easily accessible and cheap. There will be no
secret filming in the documentary, everyone being filmed will be completely
aware that they are being filmed and being used for the production of the
documentary.