Culture, Media and Sport: Television: Alcoholic DrinksĀ (21st June 2011)
Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire, Conservative)
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether guidance issued to broadcasters by Ofcom prohibits provision of alcohol to participants aged under 18 years in programmes filmed for television.
Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture, Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and Skills; Wantage, Conservative)
The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised:
Ofcom does not issue specific guidance to broadcasters on this issue. However, under Ofcom's Broadcasting Code due care must be taken over the physical and emotional welfare and the dignity of people under 18 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 18 in loco parentis. As well as this, programmes must not include material (whether in individual programmes or in programmes taken together) which, taking into account the context, condones or glamorises violent, dangerous or seriously antisocial behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour.