BBC Home


24 November 2009
Accessibility help
Text only

Commissioning

BBC Homepage

»

 Commissioning

 BBC Vision

 Commissioning

 Who's Who

 Multiplatform
 Commissioning

 Terms Of Business

 Production Guidelines

 Programme Delivery

 One Stop Shop

 Essential Information

 In Advance

 On Delivery Date

 Final Steps

 Programme Durations

 Contacts

 Credit Guidelines

 Branding & Logos

 Contacts

 Nations & Regions TV

 Other TV Services

 Audio & Music

 Local Radio

 Future Media

 Audience Info

 Contacts

 Questions

 

Compliance Form Guidance Notes
This page gives high level advice on the completion of each section of the form along with references to the BBC Editorial Guidelines .

To print these notes, click here
[PDF, 200Kb, requires Adobe Acrobat available (External) here ]

 Delivery Items

 In Advance

 Publicity Material

 Stills

 Production Script

 Promotions

 Billings

 On Delivery Date

 Compliance Form

 I&RP OFCOM Form

 Transmission Form

 Network TX Tape

 Standby Tape

 Final Steps

 P as C

 Music Reporting

 Indep. Contracts

 BBC Scotland

 TX Tape

 Open University

 Tape Package (OU)

 Final Transcript (OU)

 Terms Explained

 Delivery Date

 Topicality

 Compliance

 Transmission Review

 Programme Numbers

BBC Wales Delivery Site

New Compliance Policy

e-Commissioning

Member of the public with ideas can get information here

Writers Room Link

Durations - don't make your programme too long for your slot - check programme and credit durations here

Interactive TV ideas are submitted to the normal genre teams

Programme UID
The programme UID will be an eight character combination of letters and numbers. Ignore any prefixes (60 or 61). The first transmission version of a new programme is now usually given the suffix 01 with subsequent edits given 02, 03 etc. If in doubt please refer to your BBC delivery contact.

Programme Information Section
Pre/Post Watershed
You should indicate whether your programme was commissioned as pre or post watershed. There is an opportunity later to indicate any further suggestions you may have concerning placing.

Programme Summary
This should be a short summary rather than a full synopsis, indicating the programme genre.

Complaints history
Give details in this section if there is a complaint about this programme which may affect its compliance status if repeated. If it is subject to a Red Flag complaint, give the BBC Q reference number. It is the Production Division’s responsibility (or for independents, the genre commissioning editor) to complete an updated compliance form whenever a serious complaint is being entertained which may affect the programme’s future compliance status. Once the complaint has been resolved a further updated compliance form must be completed to record the finding. Please do not write anything other than complaints history information in this box, e.g. N/A or similar should not be entered.

Compliance Questions Section
You must give a YES/NO answer to all questions, completing notes where necessary. Any detail you can supply – including time-codes – will save time and effort and reference back. In some cases it is essential to add a note to your answer.

The link

Editorial Guidelines will take you through to the relevant sections of the BBC Editorial Guidelines .

Legal Issues

1. Legal Issues
If you have sought legal advice, but there are no outstanding issues that TV should be aware of, then tick NO. Tick the YES box where there are continuing issues. In the notes indicate the subject of the legal issue (e.g. contempt, privacy etc) but do not detail the advice given.

Editorial Guidelines

Offensive Language / Gestures

Attention should be given to musical lyrics used in soundtrack or performance, as well as spoken language and gestures.

Editorial Guidelines

2. Strong, most offensive
Tick YES, if the programme includes language that must not be transmitted before 9pm. Detail in notes the precise words used, with time-code references for first usage.

Please indicate if offensive language/gestures occur near the start of the programme.

The inclusion of offensive language/gestures in a programme should only be made in consultation with your Head of Department or genre commissioning editor – and the most offensive words or phrases e.g. fuck, motherfucker, cunt and ‘Jesus fucking Christ’ require the advance approval of Channel Controllers. (NB Controller approval should be sought via the Vision TV Ops Compliance Managers).

3. Any other which may offend
Tick YES if there is any other offensive language (e.g. bloody, shit, arse, bollocks, bugger, wank etc).

If intended for pre-watershed transmission, detail in notes the precise words used, with time-code references.

There are a range of words (e.g. mong, spastic) which may be offensive to particular groups of viewers, for example, members of faith groups and people with disabilities. Racist abuse is offensive to all sections of the audience (e.g. nigger, paki, chinkie). Detail in notes the precise words used and the context with time-code references.

Sex

4. Sexual content
Tick YES if there is any kind of sexual activity depicted in the programme. Please give enough detail in notes to allow TV to make sensitive judgements about scheduling. Some disturbing scenes, e.g. of sexual violence against women (or men) should also be flagged up in the Violence section, and should be used only after consultation with Heads of Department and with Controllers.

Editorial Guidelines

5.Sexual innuendo / reference
Detail in notes whether verbal or visual. It may not be necessary to give precise details if the innuendo is relatively mild.

Nudity

You should answer YES if nudity is featured in the programme, whether in a sexual or non-sexual context. Please indicate the context in notes.

Nudity before the watershed must be justified by context.

Editorial Guidelines

Violence

All scenes containing violence must be noted.

Editorial Guidelines

Provide time-code references if possible but it is essential to indicate whether scenes occur near the start of the programme.

This section has relevance not just to factual programmes, but may also apply to other genres, like entertainment (e.g. spoof violence may be especially offensive when real life violence is in the news e.g. terrorist beheading).

Please note that this should include significant violence involving animals as well as people.

7. Real Life
This section has relevance not just to factual programmes but may also apply to other genres like entertainment (e.g. spoof violence may be especially offensive when real life violence is in the news, for example terrorist acts such as bombings or beheadings). It does not apply purely to fictitious characters.

8. Fictional

9. Involving children

10. Sexual violence

Imitative Behaviour

This section deals with the possibility of audiences, especially children, imitating anti-social, life-threatening or criminal behaviour e.g. hanging scenes. In some cases you may have already referred to them in the previous section. If so, tick YES, but do not repeat detail in notes.

11. Drug / solvent abuse

Editorial Guidelines

12. Suicide / self harm / hanging

Editorial Guidelines

13. Other potentially dangerous behaviour
This could include dangers around the house such as a child getting into a fridge or the use of domestic objects in violent acts.

Editorial Guidelines

14. Use of alcohol / smoking
Only tick YES if the activity is particularly prominent e.g. a contributor smoking or the context is unusual e.g. in children’s programming.

You do not need to tick YES if the programme is for a general audience where the activity is not prominent and is justified by context e.g. scenes set in pubs or restaurants.

Editorial Guidelines

Portrayal

Offensive or stereotypical assumptions must be avoided and people should only be described in terms of their disability, age, sexual orientation and so on when clearly editorially justified. This can be a complex area where producers should take advice. It is an area of increasing sensitivity and complaint by viewers.

Editorial Guidelines

15. Disabilities / religious / minorities
Indicate YES if there are significant and potentially controversial references to people of a particular faith, race, nationality or a minority including ethnic, gay and lesbian or people with disabilities. The fact that people from such groups are featured is hardly remarkable in itself and should only be flagged if there are issues which might give rise to offence.

16. Cultural sensitivities
Tick YES to cultural sensitivities if there are scenes or subject-matter which may be generally acceptable to domestic audiences, but which could be an issue to specific ethnic or religious groups, particularly if transmitted outside the UK e.g. a scene associating a person perceived to be a Muslim with tobacco or alcohol.

Disturbing Content

This section covers scenes which may be inherently disturbing to sections of the audience, as well as scenes which could be relatively innocuous but which may take on significant impact at a particular time or within a particular context, e.g. after a train or air crash.

In some programmes, a soundtrack can enhance the sense of menace or terror and should be noted. Repeating factual material involving emotional trauma and death may cause particular distress.

Given the wide-ranging nature of this section, it is particularly important to provide full details in notes.

17. Disturbing Images / sounds

18. Disasters / accidents / kidnappings / terrorist acts

Editorial Guidelines

19. Exorcism / occult / paranormal / horror

Editorial Guidelines

Impartiality and Diversity of Opinion

20. Personal View / authored
This concerns programmes which may be regarded as Personal View or authored programmes about matters of public policy or political controversy.

If you tick YES please indicate in the notes, the name of author (if not clear from the programme title), the subject matter, and whether the programme is intended as part of a series or is a one-off. These may need balancing out in the schedule to ensure a full range of views is heard.

Editorial Guidelines

21. Controversial subjects / issues
If you tick YES, please indicate in notes the subject matter and whether there is due impartiality within the programme or whether it is part of a series where the series will carry a full range of views. It is important to note that programmes in a wide range of genres may touch on major subjects/issues of public or political controversy. It may be particularly important to flag issues in programmes which may be less obviously likely to deal with controversial matters.

See

Editorial Guidelines to find a definition of controversial subjects/issues.

22. Does it require a balancing programme?
If YES please provide details of the balancing programme if known or what action has been taken or may need to be taken to ensure the requirement for balance is met.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Impartiality in series

Editorial Guidelines Impartiality & drama

Accuracy


23. Reconstructions
If answered YES, notes should indicate what the reconstruction is and any issues which may arise with re-use e.g. where the reconstruction mirrors other recent events in the real world. It covers both factual and drama-documentary genres.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Reconstructions

Editorial Guidelines Reconstructions of crimes

24. Anonymity issues
Tick YES if either a source or contributor has been promised anonymity. Please note the level of anonymity agreed e.g. picture, voice, non-identifiable to the general public, non-identifiable to close friends and family.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Anonymous sources

Editorial Guidelines Children and anonymity

Mandatory Referrals Anonymity and Crime Mandatory referrals to Controller Editorial Policy in this area.

Fairness


25. Portrayal of real people in drama
There may also be issues with people who are no longer alive, but where living relatives may be affected. Please note names and issues which may arise with reuse e.g. relatives to be informed.

Refer to: :

Editorial Guidelines Portrayal of real people in drama

Editorial Guidelines Fair portrayal in drama

Mandatory Referral Mandatory referral to Controller Editorial Policy in this area.

Return to Top

Privacy


26. Secret Recordings
All proposals to record secretly must be approved in advance by the relevant senior editorial figure in each Division or for Independents by the genre commissioning editor.

Mandatory Referral
Mandatory referrals to Controller Editorial Policy in this area.

If you tick this box, you MUST give details at the bottom of the page of referral, with dates, and if approval has been given for both recording and transmission. Note that in some circumstances open filming with small digital cameras may be construed as secret recording.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Secret recording

Editorial Guidelines Secret recording for news & factual programmes

Editorial Guidelines Secret recordings for comedy & entertainment programmes

Editorial Guidelines Secret recordings from outside sources

Editorial Guidelines Electronic note taking

27. Footage of suffering and distress
This applies to both contemporaneous and archive footage. If YES please detail the nature of the material.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Reporting suffering and distress

Editorial Guidelines Revisiting past events

Editorial Guidelines Use of library material of scenes of suffering, distress and trauma

28. Door-stepping
If you tick this box, you MUST give details at the bottom of the page of referral, with dates.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Door-stepping

Editorial Guidelines Door-stepping for factual programmes with prior approach

Editorial Guidelines Door-stepping for factual programmes without prior approach

Editorial Guidelines Door-stepping for comedy & entertainment programmes

Mandatory Referral
Door-stepping without prior approach is a Mandatory referral to Controller Editorial Policy.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour


29. Interviews with criminals
If YES please detail the name and the nature of the crime. It is important that attention is brought to any restrictions on re-use.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Reporting Crime

Editorial Guidelines Interviews with Prisoners

Mandatory Referral Mandatory referrals to Controller Editorial Policy in this area.

30. Demonstration of illegal activity
This applies to both demonstration and witnessing of illegal activity.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Reporting crime

Mandatory Referral Witnessing or recording a specific and serious illegal activity is a mandatory referral to Controller Editorial Policy.

Editorial Integrity and Independence


31. Commercial, sponsor or brand references
You should detail commercial references, whether of branded goods, trade names or of products, such as books, CDs, DVDs etc and the nature of references. You should also note where programmes are covering sponsored events with the name of the sponsor and the type of reference, visual or verbal. Particular care must be taken with BBC products which cannot be promoted within programmes and to any products such as CDs etc which are being promoted by guests.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Product prominence

Editorial Guidelines Product prominence in trails

Editorial Guidelines Undue prominence and contributors

Editorial Guidelines Commercial products related to BBC programmes and services

32. Branded products featured
Please list any products featured or visually prominent.

33. Conflicts of interest: Presenters / guests / production team
This covers any issues or perceived issues which may arise concerning guests, presenters, producers and production. Give as much information as you can. Particular attention should be paid to business interests.

Editorial Guidelines

Return to Top

Politics


34. Opinion polls / surveys
This covers both commissioning and reporting polls or surveys. If YES please note the subject of the poll or survey and whether BBC commissioned.

Refer to:

Editorial Guidelines Commissioning opinion polls

Editorial Guidelines Reporting opinion polls

Editorial Guidelines Surveys

35. Interview / appearance of party leaders
If YES please detail the name and party of the leader.

Editorial Guidelines

36. If YES to 34 or 35, referred to Chief Political Adviser?
It is MANDATORY to get approval from Chief Adviser, Politics to commission a survey on any matter or an opinion poll on politics, party political support, voting intentions in the electorate at large or any other matter of public policy.

Except for brief news interviews, any proposal to interview or profile any of the party leaders in the UK for BBC network and English regional output areas must be referred in advance to Chief Adviser, Politics. In BBC Scotland, BBC Wales or BBC Northern Ireland it should be referred in advance to the respective Head of News and Current Affairs.

Other Issues Affecting Transmission

37. Public figures – as contributors

38. Public figures – reference to
Tick YES, if any well-known person, in politics, entertainment, sport etc either takes part in the programme or if ANY reference is made to a public figure. If possible, you should provide full detail, but if this would be overly burdensome e.g. if there are multiple references in programmes delivered close to transmission, then simply tick YES. Please note that this section may be particularly valuable to TV in the event of unexpected events between delivery and transmission e.g. death of a public figure.

39. Sensitive content issues
This covers a range of potential problems, primarily in the event of a repeat. It includes for example, references to recently dead people, people who are very ill and may subsequently have died, interviews with children etc. Try to think hard about any other potential issue which may arise.

40. Any restriction on re-use?
This covers any contractual agreements e.g. footage not to be used in other programmes. If YES please detail the nature of the agreement and the footage in question.

41. Flashing lights / strobing effects which have failed TX review
Flashing lights / strobing effects at certain frequencies can cause people with photo sensitive epilepsy to suffer life threatening attacks. For this reason, the use of strobing effects and flashing or intermittent lights should be avoided or remedied technically.
If a pre-recorded programme fails its TX review due to the frequency of flashing lights or strobing, and the producer feels strongly that the sequence must be retained for editorial / artistic reasons, it must be referred to the relevant Channel Controller for approval through a senior editorial figure or for Independents through the genre commissioning editor. In the very rare occasions when approval is given in these circumstances, the programme must be preceded by a clear continuity warning.

Editorial Guidelines

Return to Top

Interactivity

This section of the compliance form was introduced in April 2008 following publication of new Editorial Guidelines regarding audience interactivity and the introduction of Interactivity Approval Forms .

42 - 46 Competitions; Audience Voting; BBC Awards; Premium Rate Telephony; Non-Premium Rate Telephony
You must tick 'yes' against the relevant question if your programme includes a Competition, Audience Voting, BBC Awards, Premium Rate Telephony and/or Non-Premium Rate Telephony.

47. Interactivity Approval Form Authorisation
If you have ticked yes to any of questions 42 - 46 you must also confirm that the correct, mandatory Interactivity Approval Form has been authorised by the relevant Controller. Divisional controller sign off arrangements for Interactivity Approval Forms are detailed here .

Return to Top

Content announcements
Vision Compliance Managers, Editorial Policy and PLA can be consulted on wording for pre TX content information. Please contact Compliance Managers to arrange.

Does Programme Include
Where there is a programme related interactive site, this should be indicated, but there should be a separate form submitted by the relevant Interactive Executive or TV Executive Producer for programming on Red Button interactive stream/s.

Additional Transmission Recommendation
Producers may wish to make an additional recommendation about placing here for example regarding suitability for transmission during an election period, scheduling in terms of proximity to the watershed or children’s programming etc.

Advice / Approvals / Referrals (in some cases these are MANDATORY)
You should indicate names, the issue (brief details only) and dates for all referrals and advice taken during the course of making the programme. Programmes made for transmission in Wales may be referred to the relevant Head of Programmes rather than the Controller and indicated in that box. Please note that the nature of advice should not be detailed.

Mandatory Referral
A list of Mandatory Referrals to Controller Editorial Policy can be accessed via the Compliance Form by clicking where it says “help”. If any are relevant give the referral number in the issue box.

Please note that you must tick YES or NO for Mandatory Referral to Controller Editorial Policy for your form to be accepted.

Confirmation Box
It is mandatory that the person completing and signing the compliance form for the Independent Company has viewed the programme and is the programme's Executive Producer as identified in the Editorial Specification. The confirmation states that the programme has been made and delivered in compliance with BBC Editorial Guidelines.

You should also tick if the programme is suitable for pre-watershed viewing on all linear channels and on Video On Demand services (including broadband and the BBC i-Player) without content 'Guidance' labelling. (NB Content 'Guidance' labelling refers to additional text information given on EPGs and Programme Information web pages alerting viewers to stronger programme material). If in doubt, please contact the Vision Compliance Managers for advice.

All originated programmes must also be viewed by the BBC Executive Producer, who must give final sign off on the programme once the form has been uploaded into the BBC Compliance Manager database.

Return to Top

About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
 


Explore the BBC