CONTENT

WATERSHED- CONTENT! 

Principle

To ensure that people under eighteen are protected. 

Rules; Scheduling and content information

- Material that might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of people under eighteen must not be broadcast. 
- In the provision of services, broadcasters must take all reasonable steps to protect people under eighteen. For television services, this is in addition to their obligations resulting from the Audiovisual Media Services Directive 
- Children must also be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them. 
Children are people under the age of fifteen years. Appropriate scheduling should be judged according to: 

• the nature of the content;
• the likely number and age range of children in the audience, taking into account school time, weekends and holidays; this is important as then can put on appropriate programmes depending on the timings children won't be around. 
• the start time and finish time of the programme; if the programme is to short they may not watch it, or if it is to long, also another programme may be on at the same time.
• the nature of the channel or station and the particular programme; and the likely expectations of the audience for a particular channel or station at a particular time and on a particular day.

- Television broadcasters must observe the watershed. 
The watershed only applies to television. The watershed is at 21:00. Material unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before 21:00 or after 05:30. 
- Radio broadcasters must have particular regard to times when children are particularly likely to be listening. This phrase particularly refers to the school run and breakfast time, but might include other times. 
- The transition to more adult material must not be unduly abrupt at the watershed (in the case of television) or after the time when children are particularly likely to be listening (in the case of radio). For television, the strongest material should appear later in the schedule. 
- For television programmes broadcast before the watershed,  clear information about content that may distress some children should be given, if appropriate, to the audience (taking into account the context). 

WHAT CAN'T BE SHOWN!

Drugs, smoking, solvents and alcohol

- The use of illegal drugs, the abuse of drugs, smoking, solvent abuse and the misuse of alcohol: 

• must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless there is strong editorial justification; as it could influence children in a bad way.
• must generally be avoided and in any case must not be condoned, encouraged or glamorised in other programmes broadcast before the watershed (in the case of television), or when children are particularly likely to be listening (in the case of radio), unless there is editorial justification;

Violence and dangerous behaviour
- Violence, its after-effects and descriptions of violence, whether verbal or physical, must be appropriately limited in programmes broadcast before the watershed when they are watching T.V and must also be justified by the context. 
- Violence, whether verbal or physical, that is easily caught on by children in a manner that is harmful or dangerous: 

• must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless there is strong editorial justification; as this is inappropriate for children to be seeing as it could influence them in a bad way.
• Dangerous behaviour, or the portrayal of dangerous behaviour, that is likely to be easily imitable by children in a manner that is harmful: 
• must not be featured in programmes made primarily for children unless there is strong editorial justification; as they may take that on board and try it themselves which could lead to problems within their personal life, as TV has a big impact on children. 

Offensive language
- The most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed on TV. 
- Offensive language must not be used in programmes made for younger children except in the most exceptional circumstances, as they may begin to start using the language, as children tend to pick on board little things such as, which could cause problems. 

Sexual material

- Material equivalent to the British Board of Film Classification ("BBFC") R18-rating must not be broadcast at any time. 
- 'Adult sex material' - material that contains images and/or language of a strong sexual nature which is broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation - must not be broadcast at any time other than between 22:00 and 05:30 on premium subscription services and pay per view/night services which operate with mandatory restricted access. 
In addition, measures must be in place to ensure that the subscriber is an adult. 
Mandatory restricted access means there is a PIN protected system, which cannot be removed by the user, that restricts access solely to those authorised to view, which is good as then children won't be able to access this without the PIN, and the timing it is shown is after the watershed. 
- Representations of sexual intercourse must not occur before the watershed, unless there is a serious educational purpose. Any discussion on, or portrayal of, sexual behaviour must be editorially justified if included before the watershed, or when children are particularly likely to be listening, and must be appropriately limited, as they wouldn't need much information as such on this. 

Nudity

- Nudity must not be shown before the watershed unless it is justified by it's context, as this is inappropriate for children under 18 to be seeing. 

Films, premium subscription film services, pay per view services

-No film refused classification by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) may be broadcast unless it has subsequently been classified or the BBFC has confirmed that it would not be rejected according to the standards currently operating. Also, no film cut as a condition of classification by the BBFC may be transmitted in a version which includes the cut material unless: 

• the BBFC has confirmed that the material was cut to allow the film to pass at a lower category; and the BBFC has confirmed that the film would not be subject to compulsory cuts according to the standards currently operating.

• information must be provided about programme content that will assist adults 
  to assess its suitability for children; as they need to be aware of what the children may see, as if they don't believe it is suitable they may not show this.
• there must be a detailed billing system for subscribers which clearly itemises 
  all viewing including viewing times and dates; and those security systems which are in place to protect children must be clearly explained to all subscribers.

Exorcism, the occult and the paranormal
- Demonstrations of exorcisms, occult practices and the paranormal (which purport to be real), must not be shown before the watershed. Paranormal practices which are for entertainment purposes must not be broadcast when significant numbers of children may be expected to be watching. This rule does not apply to drama, film or comedy.

The involvement of people under eighteen in programmes

- Due care must be taken over the physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of people under eighteen who take part or are otherwise involved in programmes. This is irrespective of any consent given by the participant or by a parent, guardian or other person over the age of eighteen in loco parentis. 
- People under eighteen must not be caused unnecessary distress or anxiety by their involvement in programmes or by the broadcast of those programmes.  Unsuitable material is everything from sexual content to violence, graphic or distressing imagery and swearing for example, the most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed on TV, when children are likely to be watching. Frequent use of offensive language must be avoided before the watershed and must always be justified. All of these mustn't be shown for the children's safety. 

There are many things which are not suitable to be shown before the watershed as it isn't suitable for the children, however, things apart from all the above can be shown as it is suitable for the timing and the target audience of children under the age of 18.