STATUTORY SANCTIONS GUIDANCE NOTE PUBLISHED

THE INDEPENDENT Television Commission (ITC) have published a guidance note on the revised procedure for statutory sanctions, following a public consultation in May last year.
The new guidance note is one of the ITC's initiatives to simplify and streamline regulation and ensure decisions are more open. It replaces a series of notes issued since 1991 and is designed to provide licensees with a procedure that is seen to be fair and accountable to broadcasters and complainants alike, and to create transparency between the investigation of a possible licence breach and a decision leading to a sanction. It also takes into account the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998.
In the most serious cases, where a greater sanction, such as a financial penalty or revocation of a licence is to be considered, licensees will be able to put their case orally to a sub-committee of Commission Members.
There were six responses to the consultation on the proposed guidance note from: ITV, Channel Four, Channel Five, MTV, The Radio Authority and the Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC).
A copy of the guidance note, which takes immediate effect, is available on the ITC website at www.itc.org.uk or from the ITC information office. (CMcL)