LO3: Legal and Ethical Issues associated with my radio show

OFCOM BROADCASTING CODE
It is very important that the legal and ethical issues that come with creating a radio drama are took into consideration before production. Ofcom has a broadcasting code which lays out the practices that need to be followed by broadcasters.

PROTECTING THE UNDER 18s
Within this section, it is outlined how to protect under 18 year olds as well as children (people aged under 15). This is something important for me to consider as my target audience is 16 to 19 year olds. The section of the code discusses about scheduling and content that is in the radio show, with anything being harmful to the development of people under the age of 18 must be broadcast after watershed which is 9pm to 5:30am. It is important to think about the nature of the content which is being broadcast. As my radio show is a drama, the content is important as I need to make sure that narrative of the drama is not inappropriate for my target audience.

HARM AND OFFENCE
Within this section, it is made clear that there is protection in place so that the public is protected agains the inclusion of harmful or offensive material within the radio show. When I am creating my show I need to take this into account as the plot of the drama cannot contain any material that is harmful or offensive to the public. I need to have this in mind when writing my script.

CRIME, DISORDER, HATRED AND ABUSE
Within this section, it is made apparent that the material which is included in the show must not lead to criminal activity or disorder. Hate speech is also not allowed. I don't think that this will be an issue within my show as although it is a radio drama, there will be no crime included within the plot of the show.

RELIGION
Within this section, it is outlined that broadcasters need to respect the content of religious programmes. As my show is a drama which will be on a community radio station, I will try and represent different religious groups within the community, however making sure that no hate or negative comments are made about the religious groups. I think it would be interesting to add characters of different backgrounds, if the right research was done as this could strengthen the community.

COPYRIGHT
It is important that I make sure that any sound effects in my show are royalty free or created for the show order to make sure that there are no copyrights agains anything that is included. To play music on radio, the station needs a PRS license, this is the same with my radio drama as there are some clips of music throughout such as in the car scene.