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23 November 2009
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Referrals

With the exception of mandatory referrals this page lists all the referrals as set out in the BBC Editorial Guidelines.

A senior editorial figure nominated by your division must be consulted about these referrals.

BBC Divisions have nominated specific editorial figures to be the first point of contact for the mandatory referrals. For the relevant list of those contacts go to the Editorial Policy site on Gateway. (Please note: this is an internal BBC link.)

For independents refer upwards, if necessary to the relevant BBC Commissioning Editor.

Please note that it is often necessary to consult more than one person to comply with referrals.

Remember Editorial Policy should always be consulted on:

• Mandatory referrals.
• Any proposals to step outside the guidelines.
• Any queries on how to interpret the guidelines.


Referral
Contact Person
SECTION 2: ABOUT THE GUIDELINES
 
Any proposal to produce programmes which significantly deals with national issues or themes in Scotland or Wales should be referred to the relevant Controller for information.
Controller Scotland Controller Wales
In Nations and Regions, the relevant controller must be informed of any issue that is a mandatory referral to Controller Editorial Policy
relevant Controller
Any proposal to repeat a programme which has been the subject of an upheld complaint must be referred to the relevant output controller and Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Output controller
 
 
SECTION 3: ACCURACY
 
The proposed wording of all written adverts to find contributors, including those for entertainment programmes, must be referred to the relevant divisional representative or for Independents to the commissioning editor.
 
Any proposal to use a chat room or message board to find contributors must be referred to the relevant divisional representative or for Independents to the commissioning editor.
 
Any proposal to rely on a single unnamed source making a serious allegation or to grant anonymity to a significant contributor must be referred to a senior editorial level, or for Independents to the commissioning editor. In the most serious cases it may also be necessary to refer to Controller Editorial Policy and Programme Legal Advice.
 
 
 
SECTION 4: IMPARTIALITY
 
Any approach by a government department to relay official messages or information films which involve a degree of public or political controversy must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics.
Ric Bailey
 
 
SECTION 5: FAIRNESS, CONTRIBUTORS AND CONSENT
 
Any proposal to use deception must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor and in the most serious cases to Controller Editorial Policy.
 
Editorial Policy and/or Programme Legal Advice should be consulted before agreeing an indemnity clause.
 
Any proposal to use a tourist visa to avoid visa restrictions and to enter and work for the BBC in that country should be referred to a senior editorial figure or commissioning editor for independents who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

If such a proposal is approved, Newsgathering and the Head of the relevant World Service region should also be informed.
 
 
 
SECTION 6: PRIVACY
 
All proposals to record secretly must be approved in advance by the relevant senior editorial figure in each Division or for Independents by the commissioning editor who may consult Editorial Policy.
Duty Adviser Editorial Policy
Any deception required for the purposes of obtaining material and secret recording should be the minimum necessary and proportionate to the subject matter and must be referred to the relevant senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.
 
The re-use of secretly recorded material must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor before transmission and a record kept of the decision.
 
All proposals to door-step for factual programmes, whether in person or on the phone, where we have tried to make an appointment for an interview with the individual concerned (door-stepping with prior approach) must be approved in advance by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor.
 
All proposals to door-step for comedy and entertainment purposes must be approved in advance by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to secretly record a phone call for broadcast must be approved in advance by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to repeat library material of scenes of suffering, distress and trauma when contributors have objected to its re-use must serve a clear public interest and be approved by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to use library pictures of identifiable grieving or distressed people must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to put a third party's webcam feed on a BBC site or platform must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may also consult Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Contributors' personal details, comments or other personal information should not normally be given to third parties without the consent of the contributor. If consent cannot be obtained, this should be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may wish to consult Regulatory Legal.
Regulatory Legal
Any proposal to collect personal information on a BBC publicly funded site which might be disclosed to third parties, including BBC Worldwide, must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may wish to consult Regulatory Legal, Fair Trading and Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Regulatory Legal Fair Trading

 

SECTION 7: CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Any proposal to broadcast scenes of bull fighting, dog fighting and cock fighting (illegal in the UK) must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to record the harming of animals by third parties for the purpose of gathering evidence or to illustrate malpractice, cruel, anti-social or controversial behaviour must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to interview a witness about their evidence once proceedings are under way and until the verdict has been reached must be referred through a senior editorial figure or for Independents through the commissioning editor to Programme Legal Advice and Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Programme Legal Advice
Any proposal to undertake an investigation into crime or serious anti-social behaviour must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may need to consult Editorial Policy and Programme Legal Advice.
Editorial Policy
Programme Legal Advice
Any proposal to enter an overseas prison without permission must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents the commissioning editor who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

If approved the relevant World Service Head of Region and Head of Newsgathering should be informed.

Any proposal to invite a prisoner to initiate a call for broadcast purposes from a public telephone or mobile telephone in prison must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

Any proposal to broadcast an unsolicited call from a prisoner which was not referred before it was recorded must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

Any proposal to broadcast live an unsolicited call from a prisoner must be referred to a senior editorial figure for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

Any proposal to interview a paedophile or other sex offender who has been convicted of serious offences in prison or on release from prison should be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may also consult Controller Editorial Policy.

All requests for transmitted material made in connection with court proceedings or pending or active complaint procedures must be referred to Litigation who may also consult Controller Editorial Policy.
Litigation

 

SECTION 8: HARM and OFFENCE

Any proposal to broadcast a hanging scene, portray suicide, attempted suicide or self-harm must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor who should also consult Chief Adviser Editorial Policy.
Chief Adviser, Editorial Policy
Any proposal to feature a demonstration of hypnosis must be referred to at senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to include flashing images or strobing sequences in recorded programmes which fail the Transmission Review technical checks must be referred to the relevant Channel Controller for approval through a senior editorial figure or for Independents through the commissioning editor.
Channel Controller
Any producer who believes their content may include images of very brief duration which exploit the possibility of conveying a message to, or otherwise influencing the minds of persons watching or listening to the programme without their being aware, or fully aware, of what has occurred should consult a senior editorial figure or for Independents the commissioning editor, who may also consult Editorial Policy.
Chief Adviser, Editorial Policy

 

SECTION 9: CHILDREN

Content producers must refer to the divisional manager with responsibility for the BBC's Child Protection Policy if it is suspected that a child may be at risk, or we are alerted by a young person to a child welfare issue (including allegations against BBC staff) during the course of our work.

Any incident of suspected "grooming" online must be referred to Executive Producer, Communities Group, New Media Central, who may also consult Editorial Policy.
Executive Producer, Communities Group, New Media Editorial Policy
Any proposal to feature children and young people where parental consent has been refused must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who should also consult Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Any proposal to reveal a child's personal information to a third party without consent, for example if we suspect child abuse, must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor who may consult Controller Editorial Policy and Programme Legal Advice.
David Jordan
Programme Legal Advice
Any proposal to offer private online space for children where strangers can routinely meet and exchange personal information must be referred to Director, New Media and Technology, who may also consult Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Director, New Media and Technology.
Any proposal to change from pre-moderating sites designed to appeal to children and areas which invite users to email pictures for publication must be referred to Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy

 

SECTION 10: POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY

Any programme proposing to invite a politician to be a guest, when to do so is the exception rather than the rule, should consult Chief Adviser, Politics at an early stage.
Ric Bailey
Except for brief news interviews, any proposal to interview or profile any of the party leaders on BBC Northern Ireland, BBC Scotland or BBC Wales must be referred in advance to the Head of News and Current Affairs in the respective Nation.

 

SECTION 11: WAR, TERROR AND EMERGENCIES

Any proposal to attend an event staged by proscribed organisations or groups with a known record for mounting acts of terror must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to broadcast material gathered at legitimate events when paramilitary or other groups stage an appearance must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for independents to the commissioning editor who may consult Controller Editorial Policy.

Content producers should seek senior editorial and legal advice at an early stage when handling material that falls in the area of National Security.
 
Any proposals to work in hostile environments, on high risk activities or high risk events must be referred to Head of Newsgathering and Occupational Risk Management's High Risk Team.
Head of Newsgathering ORM's High Risk Team

 

SECTION 13: EDITORIAL INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE

Any proposal to accept an expenses paid trip must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor.

Any proposal to refer on air or online to the commercial operators offering an expenses paid trip must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who may also consult Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
 
 

SECTION 14: EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

Editorial Policy should be consulted about the suitability of partners for a joint editorial initiative.
Margaret Hill
On air and online credits for sponsors of third party (non sports) events must be referred to the senior editorial figure responsible for the coverage or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who should normally also consult Chief Adviser Editorial Policy.
Margaret Hill
Any proposal for a BBC programme or service to sponsor a third party event may need to be referred to Chief Adviser Editorial Policy.
Margaret Hill

 

SECTION 15: INTERACTING WITH OUR AUDIENCES

Any proposal to use premium rate lines for BBC output must be referred and approved by a senior editorial figure or for Independents by the commissioning editor.

Any proposal that excludes users of some mobile networks from taking part in BBC mobile interactivity must be referred to Editorial Policy.
Editorial Policy
Any proposal to set up a competition involving premium rate lines must be referred to Programme Legal Advice.
Programme Legal Advice.
Content producers must refer any proposal to accept the donation of a substantial prize to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor for approval, which will only be given in exceptional circumstances. They may also need to consult editorial policy.
Margaret Hill
Any proposal to offer a cash prize for a game show must be referred to and approved by the relevant Output Controller.

Any proposal to reactively moderate a site with user-generated content must be referred in advance to Head of Editorial Affairs, New Media and Technology and Editorial Policy.
Head of Editorial Affairs, New Media and Technology Editorial Policy
For advice about the degree of moderation a user generated content site should receive refer to Head of Editorial Affairs, New Media and Technology or Editorial Policy, who will liaise with Programme Legal Advice if necessary.
Head of Editorial Affairs, New Media and Technology Editorial Policy

 

SECTION 16: THE LAW

Any proposal to break the law must be referred to a senior editorial figure or for Independents to the commissioning editor, who must consult Head of Programme Legal Advice and, if necessary, Controller Editorial Policy.
Head of Programme Legal Advice David Jordan
Content producers should consult Programme Legal Advice if they have any queries about the law as it affects children.
 

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