Regulation & Codes of Practice

A) What are the names of the two companies that licence radio stations to play music? 

- PPL & PRS.

For a bonus point, what do the above acronyms stand for:

C) Phonographic Performance Limited

B) Performing Rights Society

D) What else do the above companies collect and distribute for music artists/songwriters/publishers?

- Wills, Kate and George (Royalties).

E) What would happen if a shop / club / radio station didn’t purchase licences from these bodies and were found out by the PRS/PPL? 

- They'd get a huge fine and potentially a prison sentence.

F) What is the name of the regulator of the Broadcast and Telecommunications Industries? 

- OFCOM.

G) The document that sets out the principles, meanings and "practices to be followed” by the Broadcast industries is called: 

- The Broadcasting Code.

H) Name three of the areas (sections) of the “Code” and two examples of what that section states you cannot do on Radio.

1) Crime
- Can’t broadcast material likely to encourage crime or to lead to disorder.
- Can’t broadcast descriptions or demonstrations of criminal techniques which contain essential details which could enable a crime, unless cleverly edited.

2) Privacy

- Broadcasters must not play audio of people for annoyance, embarrassment or to cause distress to people.

- To have a person under the age of 16 on air, consent must be gained from their parents or guardians to maintain their privacy unless it is warranted as well as them being asked about private matters.

3) Fairness

- The guest must be aware of what questions they will be asked during the radio show.

- When the program is edited, if it is pre-recorded, then contributions should be represented fairly.