How to complain about British Media

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday March 28, 2003 12:48 by Sigi

let your voices be heard loud and clear

How to complain about British media plus tons of addresses. Pass this on to grannies, aunties, teachers... X Sigi

COMPLAINING ABOUT MEDIA COVERAGE
* Use facts
* Focus on a single issue
* Be concise . . . no more than 200 words
* Use reason and logic in your language, not emotion

What to look for on TV
* Do they hold both sides to account equally?
* Is it fair accurate and impartial?
* Are there leading questions?
* What are the issues being addressed
When filing a complaint about any media coverage that you are unhappy with, there are various ways in which you can increase the chances of your complaint being taken seriously.

REGULATORY BODIES
Various regulatory bodies exist that seek to ensure certain standards in media coverage are upheld and if a complaint suggests coverage to have fallen short of these standards, the likelihood that action will be taken in response to the complaint is greatly increased. The following organisations regulate media coverage.

THE BBC
The BBC publishes a code of ethics for programme makers called the 'Producer's Guidelines'. These contain advice on upholding standards including accuracy, impartiality and fairness. More detailed information about these standards can be found in Chapter 2 of the Producer's Guidelines at the following web address: www.bbc.co.uk/info/editorial/prodgl/index.shtml

BROADCASTING STANDARDS
The BSC monitors all licensed services including satellite and cable. The BSC is charged with monitoring the representation in television and radio of a range of issues. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, the BSC is required to carry out research into the effects of broadcasting. The BSC deals with taste and decency or accuracy and fairness. However complaints from third parties will not be accepted, instead a complaint would have to come from someone involved in the making of the programme who feels they have been unfairly treated. The BSC Council deals with complaints from the audience. It can request recordings of material (which broadcasters are required under the Broadcasting Act 1990 to keep) and can require a written statement or hearing from the broadcasters who have to explain the editorial decisions behind the transmission of the material complained about.

Further info about BSC: www.cultsock.ndirect.co.uk/MUHome/cshtml/media/bscdet.html

THE INDEPENDENT TELEVISION COMMISSION

The ITC issues licenses that allow commercial television companies to broadcast in and from the UK. Subsequently the ITC has the power to regulate these services by monitoring broadcasters' performance against the requirements of the ITC's published licences and codes and guidelines on programme content.

The ITC regularly investigates complaints and publishes its findings. The Code of Practice for ITC members can be viewed in full at: www.itc.org.uk/about/code_of_practice.htm The ITC Website also provides detailed information about how to complain and what the ITC can do in response. These can be found at: www.itc.org.uk/contact/comment/index.htm The ITC does not license or regulate any BBC services

THE RADIO AUTHORITY

The Radio Authority licenses and regulates all commercial radio services and is responsible for monitoring the obligations on its licensees required by the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. It is required to publish codes to which licensees must adhere. Sanctions include broadcast apologies and/or corrections, fines and shortening or revocation of Licenses. Full details of the Radio Authority's codes and guidance can be found at: http://www.radioauthority.org.uk/about-ra/whatwedo.html or alternatively call: 0207 430 2724 The Radio Authority does not license or regulate any BBC Radio

BROADCASTERS

THE BBC

The following is a general guide to the levels at which different complaints should be directed. If the complaint is: A minor irritation: Call the duty log on with your comments 08700 100 222 More serious: Call the duty log on 08700 100 222 leaving your name and number and request a response. A serious breach of standards: Write to Fraser Steel, Head of Programme Complaints, Broadcasting House, London S1AA 1AA

CHANNEL 4 PROGRAMMES

*REACH 4 FORUM - a message board forum for viewers to share their opinions with others. Tel: 020 7306 8691 *TELEVISION VIEWER ENQUIRIES - open from 9 a.m.-10.30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends/bank holidays. Tel: 0207 306 8333 *WEBSITE FEEDBACK - www.channel4.comment Alternatively you can write to: Channel 4, 124 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2TX Further info: www.channel4.com/guide/contact.html

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PROGRAMMES

QUESTION TIME

To join the audience on Question Time call: 0901 111 4411

To comment on the topics discussed on Question Time contact their website

FEEDBACK

This is the BBC Network Radio listeners' letters programme. the content of the programme is entirely directed by the letters, emails and faxes it receives from listeners. It goes out on Friday from 1.30 p.m.-2 p.m. and is repeated on Sunday 8.30p.m.-9 p.m. to raise an issues email: feedback@bbc.co.uk

ANY QUESTIONS?

Any Questions is Radio 4's forum for debate between decision-makers from all areas of public life, chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby. It goes out on Friday 8 p.m.-8.45 p.m. and is repeated Saturday 1.15 p.m.- 2. p.m. Email any questions to: any.questions@bbc.co.uk or tel: 0870 010 0444

ANY ANSWERS

A sister programme to Any Questions? Jonathan Dimbleby takes listeners' phone calls, emails and faxes in response to the issues raised in Any Questions? Each Saturday 2 p.m.-2.30 p.m. Email any answers to: any.answers@bbc.co.uk tel: 0870 010 0444

RADIO 5 LIVE

the following programmes all host debates on topical issues:

Nicky Campbell 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Tel: 0500 909 693

Fi Glover weekdays 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Tel: 0500 9009 693

Late Night Currie weekends 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. Tel: 0500 909 693

website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive

HOW TO CONTACT THE MEDIA

DAILY NEWSPAPERS

Daily Express: Ludgate House, 245 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9UY tel: 0207 928 8000 fax: 0207 922 7339 email: expressletters@express.co.uk website: http://www.express.co.uk

Daily Mail: Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT tel: 0207 938 6000 fax: 0207 938 3405 email: letters@dailymail.co.uk website: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

The Mirror: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DT tel: 0207 510 3000 fax: 0207 538 6455 email: mailbox@mirror.co.uk website: http://www.mirror.co.uk

Daily Telegraph: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DT tel: 0207 538 5000 fax: 0207 538 6455 email: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk website: http://telegraph.co.uk

Financial Times: 1 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL tel: 0207 873 3000 fax: 0207 873 3076 email: letters.editor@ft.com website: http://www.ft.com

The Guardian: 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER tel: 0207 278 2332 fax: 0207 837 2114 email: letters@guardian.co.uk website: http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk

The Independent: Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS tel: 0207 005 2000 fax: 0207 005 2056 email: letters@independent.co.uk website: http://www.independent.co.uk

The Scotsman: 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS tel: 0131 620 8620 fax: 0131 620 8616 email: letters_ts@scotsman.com website: http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/

The Times: 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TA tel: 0207 782 5000 fax: 0207 782 5046 email: letters@the-times.co.uk website: http://www.the-times.co.uk

The Evening Standard: Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5EE tel: 020 7938 6000 fax: 020 7937 2648 email: letters@standard.co.uk website: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/

The Sun: 1 Virginia Street, Wapping, London E98 1SN tel: 0207 860 1129 email: custerv@the-sun.co.uk website: http://www.thesun.co.uk

SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS

Sunday Herald: 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3PR tel: 0141 302 7800 fax: 0141 302 7863 email: letters@sundayherald.com website: http://www.sundayherald.com/

Independent on Sunday: Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS tel: 0207 005 2000 fax: 0207 005 2056 email: letters@sundayindependent.co.uk website: http://www.sundayindependent.co.uk

The Mail on Sunday: Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT tel: 0207 938 6000 fax: 0207 937 3214 email: letters@mailonsunday.co.uk website: http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/

The Observer: 119 Farrington Road, London EC1R 3ER tel: 0207 278 2332 fax: 0207 713 4250 email: letters@observer.co.uk website: http://www.observer.co.uk

The Sunday Telegraph: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DT tel: 0207 538 5000 fax: 0207 538 7872 email: sstletters@telegraph.co.uk website: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Scotland on Sunday: 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS tel: 0131 620 8620 fax: 0131 523 0313 email: Letters_sos@scotsman.com website: http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/

The Sunday Times: 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST tel: 0207 782 5000 fax: 0207 782 5454 email: letters@sunday-times.co.uk website: http://www.sunday-times.co.uk

The Sunday Mirror: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP tel: 0207 510 3000 fax: 0207 293 3939 email: deargerri@mgn.co.uk website: http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk

The Sunday People: 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AP tel: 0207 510 3000 fax: 0207 510 3810 email: letters@people.co.uk website: http://www.people.co.uk/

The Sunday Express: Ludgate House, 245 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 9UX tel: 0207 928 8000 fax: 0207 620 1654 email: expressletters@express.co.uk website: http://www.express.co.uk/

The News of the World: 1 Virginia Street, London E98 1NW tel: 0207 782 4000 fax: 0207 583 9504 email: yourletters@news-of-the-world.co.uk website: http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/

WEEKLIES

The Economist: 25 St. James's Street, London SW1A 1HG tel:0207830 7000 fax: 020 7839 2968/9 email: letters@economist.com website: http://www.economist.com

The Spectator: 56 Doughty Street, London WC1N 2LL tel: 020 7405 1706 email: letters@spectator.co.uk website: http://www.spectator.co.uk

The New Statesman: 7th Floor, Victoria House, 191 Victoria Street, London SW1 5NE tel: 0207 929 1232 email: letters@newstateman.co.uk website: http://www.newstatesman.co.uk

Newsweek: 18 Park Street, London W1Y 4HH tel: 0207 629 8361 fax: 0207 629 0050 email: editors@newsweek.com website: www.newsweek.com

TELEVISION AND RADIO CONTACTS

BBC TV AND RADIO

You can respond to all BBC national and local television and radio programmes, including BBC1 & 2, Radio 1,2,3,4 and Five Live on: 08700 100 222 website: http://www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Complaint Unit: c/o Fraser Steel, Broadcasting House, London W1A 1AA tel: 08700 100 222 web address for online comments form: http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/contact/com_email.shtml

BBC Radio 4: Presenter/Programme, BBC Radio 4, Broadcasting House, London W1A 1AA tel: 08700 100 222 email: radio4@bbc.co.uk website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/

BBC Breakfast News: email: breakfasttv@bbc.co.uk

Today: Fax: 020 8623 1102 email: today@bbc.co.uk

Newsnight: email: newsnight@bbc.co.uk

Jonathan Dimbleby show: Jonathan Dimbleby, LWT Upper Ground Floor, London SE1 9LT tel: 0207 261 3784 email: jonathan.dimbleby@granadamedia.com

Question Time: tel: 0901 111 4411 email: questiontime@bbc.co.uk to join the audience: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static.question_time/join_the_audience.htm

News House: BBC World Service, Bush House, Strand, London WC2B 4PH , UK tel: 020 7240 3456 email: newshour@bbc.co.uk online comments form: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/contact/index.shtml

World Today: BBC World Service, Bush House, Strand, London WC2B 4PH UK tel: 020 7240 3456 email: world.today@bbc.co.uk online comments form: http://www.bbc.co./worldservice/contact/index.shtml

World Update: BBC World Service, Bush House, Strand, London WC2B 4PH UK tel: 0207240 3456 email: worldupdate@bbc.co.uk online comments form: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/contact/index.shtml

Talking Point: email: talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk

OTHER RADIO & TV

News Direct: website: http://www.newsdirect.co.uk

CHANNEL 4 News: The Editor, Channel 4 News, ITN, 200 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8XZ tel: 0207 833 3000 - ask for 'viewer liaison line' email: c4webmaster@itn.co.uk website: http://www.channel4.com/news

Channel 4: 124 Horseferry Road, London SW1 P2TX tel: 0207 306 8333 fax: 0207 3068 347 email: viewerenquiries@channel4.co.uk website: http://www.channel4.com

CNN CNN: CNN House, 19-22 Rathbone Place, London W1P 1DF tel: 0207 637 6738 fax: 0207 637 6738 email: cnnlondon@turner.com website: http://www.Europe.cnn.com

SKY NEWS Sky News: Grant Way, Isleworth, London TW7 5QD tel: 0207 705 3000 fax: 0207 782 9902 email: news@bskyb.com website: http://www.skynews.co.uk

ITN ITN: 200 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8XZ tel: 0207 430 4700/0207 833 3000 fax: 0207 430 4016 email: viewerliason@itn.co.uk website: http://www.itn.co.uk

GMTV: London TV Centre, London SE1 9TT tel: Duty Office phone 0870 243 4333 fax: Duty Office fax 0207 827 7100 email: talk2us@gmtv.co.uk website: http://www.gmtv.co.uk

LBC LBC: LBC Radio, 200 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8XZ tel: 0207 973 11521 Programme Enquiries: Bonnie Oldham 0207 312 8513 email: Editorial: Stuart Thomas - editor@lbc.co.uk Programme Enquiries: Bonnie Oldham - bonnie.Oldham@itn.co.uk Website Enquiries: Alex Wrenn - Alex.wren@itn.co.uk website: http://www.lbc.co.uk