Ofcom Discussion

(19-06-2012 03:23 )Scottishbloke Wrote:  ofcourse nobody can really put Hitler and Ed Richards of ofcom in the same bracket, I mean for a start Ed Richards doesn't even have a comedy mustache

(19-06-2012 15:19 )dan g 27 Wrote:  Does anyone know the full list of rules and guidelines that are implemented by Ofcom on the Babe channels?

Because the only rules I know are you can't go topless until after 10:00pm, you can't go nude until 11:00pm and there is restrictions on the amount of interaction between babes. I'm just wondering if there is any other rules I should know about

Also when is this change in leadership at Ofcom supposed to happen?

Must be multipost day. Here is a summary, though as ever with Ofcom "rules" is too strong a word for vague and incomplete guidance. These are hidden under Broadcasting-Programme Related Guidance-Ofcom guidance on the advertising of telecommunications-based sexual entertainment services and PRS daytime chat services:

"adult chat to be advertised (and so broadcast) within prescribed times on free-to-air channels that are specifically licensed by Ofcom for that purpose. For cable and satellite platforms the acceptable hours are between 9pm and 5.30am. For Digital Terrestrial Television (Freeview) the permitted hours are between midnight and 5.30am."

"On platforms that offer segmented and labelled EPGs these channels must be placed within the „adult‟ or similarly identified section of the listings. On Freeview, „bookends‟ mark out the „adult‟ services to viewers who may be moving through channels in turn, and the FreeviewEPG listings places the word ADULT before each channel‟s name in the list."

"under Rule 23.2.2 material of a sexual nature must be suitable for
provision free-to-air and therefore cannot approach the explicitness of material acceptable under encryption."

"must be much more restrained than material transmitted under the
terms of Rule 23.2.1, i.e. that is provided under encryption."

"enjoys very much less latitude than is typically available to editorial material in respect of context and narrative. A primary intent of advertising is to sell products and services and consideration of acceptable standards will take that context into account."

"certain number prefixes (0908, 0909, 098 etc), no such prefix should ever be used outside the prescribed hours."

"advertising for products that are considered to be pornography
are permitted behind mandatory restricted access on adult entertainment channels only, between 10.00pm and 5.30am"

"must not feature (that is contain) R18-rated material or equivalent images."

"After 9pm any move towards stronger – but still very restrained – material containing sexual imagery should be gradual and
progressive. There should not for example be any miming of sexual acts between 9 and 10pm."

"Adult chat broadcasters should:
 not broadcast shots of bare breasts before 22:00;
 at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters‟ bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged;
 at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object;
 ensure that presenters‟ clothing adequately covers their anal, labial or genital areas. They should also avoid adjusting their clothing (including clutching or bunching) which results in anal, labial or genital areas being exposed;
 at no time broadcast images of any real or simulated sex acts (these include vaginal or anal intercourse, masturbation, fellatio or cunnilingus);
 at no time include shots of presenters spitting onto their or others‟ bodies, or include shots of presenters using other liquids, such as oil and lotions, on their genital or anal areas.
 at no time broadcast shots of presenters using liquids of a sort or in a way which suggests the liquid is ejaculate;
 at no time broadcast sexually explicit language; and
 ensure any sexual language broadcast is restrained, and avoid its use altogether before midnight.
Licensees should take particular care if two or more presenters appear together on screen. If there is any contact between the presenters of an erotic or sexual nature (for example kissing, stroking, or contact between thighs, breasts or genital areas) or any miming or simulation of a sexual act performed by one presenter on another, in Ofcom‟s view there is a high risk of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted standards."

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binarie...idance.pdf

Reading the above nonsense makes you want to weep. I hope I live long enough to see these diktats about 'generally accepted standards' and 'widespread offence' trashed to smithereens in court. They make no sense whatsoever.

If anything the opposite is the reality - surely the 'generally accepted standard' when viewing an adult channel after midnight is to hear sexual language and see naked females interacting with each other, in the same way that the generally accepted standard of a top shelf magazine would be to include photos of naked women in sexual poses!

One of the best ways a politician could get involved in this debate without appearing to endorse the babe channels is to focus on the very real waste of public money in these difficult times. Ofcom must waste hundreds of thousands of pounds each year in these idiotic and pointless investigations and that's the real scandal. The fines they impose can't come anywhere near covering their costs.

It's ridiculous, and obvious these channels are being discriminated against, while other channels are let off the hook for showing more.

Also, no issue with butter adverts showing bare asses before 9pm either

it does annoy me too that the babechannels are overregulated like this yet mainstream tv can get away with way more. remember a channel 4 "art" show that had full frontal nudity at lunchtime!!!!!! and proof what jamie (elitetv) said the babechannels are over regulated

Quote:"Adult chat broadcasters should:
• not broadcast shots of bare breasts before 22:00;

This is the one that get's me. Why the fuck has the watershed been put back an hour for the babeshows? Everywhere else the watershed is 21:00 !!

Its funny the channels don't stand up for there own business it is not down to viewers to lobby on there behalf.

(20-06-2012 11:45 )StanTheMan Wrote:  

Quote:"Adult chat broadcasters should:
• not broadcast shots of bare breasts before 22:00;

This is the one that get's me. Why the fuck has the watershed been put back an hour for the babeshows? Everywhere else the watershed is 21:00 !!

Don't know but it's always been like that on the babeshows for years, babes can't go topless till 10pm

(20-06-2012 12:27 )Rammyrascal Wrote:  

(20-06-2012 11:45 )StanTheMan Wrote:  

Quote:"Adult chat broadcasters should:
• not broadcast shots of bare breasts before 22:00;

This is the one that get's me. Why the fuck has the watershed been put back an hour for the babeshows? Everywhere else the watershed is 21:00 !!

Don't know but it's always been like that on the babeshows for years, babes can't go topless till 10pm

thats why rlc don't start the night show at 9 i presume.

(20-06-2012 12:00 )Broncobilly Wrote:  Its funny the channels don't stand up for there own business it is not down to viewers to lobby on there behalf.

Not all that funny when you think about it.
The channels are still able to produce a profitable product even under the restrictions imposed by Ofcom. Challenging them would be time-consuming and expensive, with no guarantee of success (no matter how unjust it may seem to us).

Alongside that, you have the epetition, which has attracted less than 700 signatures (apparently some of those also being fraudulent duplicates!). Forum members here and elsewhere are supposedly among the most avid fans of the channels and yet less than 700 can be bothered to sign an epetition in their support. If you are a channel boss looking at that, what would you do, risk a large slice of your profits, and potentially even your channel and the livelihoods of your employees to challenge Ofcom so you can put out a harder content, or play by the rules, and continue to make a profit regardless, and wait for things to change for the better in due course?
If we can't be bothered supporting the channels, why should they put their necks on the line!