10.1 Introduction
The principles relating to the 成人快手's political impartiality and independence from political influence are central to its coverage of politics and public policy. Over an appropriate timeframe, the 成人快手's political content must give due weight and prominence to all the main strands of argument and to all relevant political parties. Although those in government will often be the primary focus of news and will, in particular, need to be held to account, the voices and opinions of other parties and those with other political views and interests should also be regularly aired and challenged. One of the 成人快手's public purposes is: 'To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them...so that all audiences can engage fully with major local, regional, national, United Kingdom and global issues and participate in the democratic process, at all levels, as active and informed citizens.'[1] It follows that there is a special responsibility to audiences who are about to vote in elections or referendums.
Content producers should be aware that any contributor, not just those from political parties, could offer political opinions or campaign on political issues. To achieve due impartiality, content producers will therefore need to make judgements about the inclusion or omission of any potential contributors to political output.
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Editorial Guidelines: Impartiality. These ensure the 成人快手's output meets the standards of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code set out in Sections 5 (Due Impartiality and Due Accuracy and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions) and 6 (Elections and Referendums).
It should also be read in conjunction with Editorial Guidelines Section 4: Conflicts of Interest and Section 11: Statistics, Data, Polls and Surveys.
10.2 Principles
10.2.1 The 成人快手 and all its output must treat matters of politics and public policy with due accuracy and due impartiality.[2]
10.2.2 The 成人快手 must not express an opinion on political or controversial issues or matters of current public policy. The exception is that the 成人快手 may express a corporate view on policy concerning broadcasting or the provision of online services, or regarding freedom of expression.
10.2.3 Individuals expressing opinions on matters of current public policy (including broadcasting issues), politics and controversial issues may also jeopardise the 成人快手's impartiality.
10.2.4 The 成人快手 does not commission voting intention polls during relevant election or referendum periods.
10.3 Mandatory Referrals
Mandatory referrals must be referred in advance. Mandatory referrals are an essential part of the 成人快手's editorial and compliance process and must be observed.
Mandatory Referrals to Chief Adviser Politics
10.3.1 Where content would not normally include politicians, political opinions or 'controversial issues' 鈥� such as sport, music, quiz or panel shows, entertainment and lifestyle output 鈥� producers must consult Chief Adviser Politics in advance before inviting a politician to take part in their output, or before accepting a request to participate. This referral applies to all political figures such as MPs, councillors, mayors and PCCs, and is irrespective of whether the proposed contribution is itself 'political'.
(See 10.4.3-10.4.5)
10.3.2 Except for brief news interviews gathered on the day without pre-arrangement, Chief Adviser Politics must be consulted in advance about proposed interview bids or any other active participation in output (and before offers of such participation are accepted or declined) for the following political leaders in the UK: the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition at Westminster, the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland. In the nations of the UK, the respective Heads of News must also be consulted.
(See 10.4.6-10.4.8)
10.3.3 Any proposal to pay a fee (not including legitimate expenses) to an elected salaried politician or peer for any contribution to output, must be referred in advance to Chief Adviser Politics.
(See 10.4.9)
10.3.4 Any proposal to use material from the chambers or committees of Parliaments or Assemblies 鈥� including Westminster 鈥� outside respective rules of coverage must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics. This includes any proposal to use material from the Parliaments or Assemblies outside news, factual programmes or content for educational purposes, which will also require relevant Intellectual Property Legal advice.
(See 10.4.10)
10.3.5 Any government request for a ministerial broadcast or a reply to a ministerial broadcast must be referred promptly to Chief Adviser Politics before a response is given.[3]
(See 10.4.13-10.4.14)
10.3.6 Any approach by a government department to relay official messages or information films must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics.
(See 10.4.15)
10.3.7 Any proposal to commission an opinion poll (or use other methods, such as data analysis) with the intention of sampling party political support or voting intentions must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics for approval in advance.
(See 10.4.16-10.4.18)
(See Section 11 Statistics, Data, Polls and Surveys: 11.4.33 and 11.4.36-11.4.38)
10.3.8 Any proposal to commission an opinion poll or any sort of survey, vote or focus group on matters of public policy, political or industrial controversy, or on 'controversial subjects' in any other area, must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics in advance.
(See 10.4.19-10.4.20)
(See Section 11 Statistics, Data, Polls and Surveys: 11.4.29-11.4.35 and 11.4.39-11.4.45)
