Ofcom Broadcasting Code
The rulebook every UK broadcaster checks before a programme goes to air
What it is
About Ofcom Broadcasting Code
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code sets out rules covering harm and offence, fairness, privacy, sponsorship, advertising and impartiality for all UK-licensed broadcasters. Broadcast standards and compliance professionals reference it constantly when reviewing programmes pre-transmission, handling audience complaints and advising production teams on editorial risk, since breaches can lead to Ofcom sanctions, fines or licence conditions.
What you can do with it
Capabilities
Assess pre-transmission content against specific Code sections (harm/offence, fairness, privacy)
Advise production teams on compliance risk for sensitive or contentious content
Investigate and respond to viewer/listener complaints referencing the Code
Draft compliance sign-off documentation for a broadcast
Track updates to the Code and cascade changes into internal compliance guidelines
How to learn it
Learning Resources
Read the Code directly on ofcom.org.uk, including its regularly updated guidance notes
Ofcom's published enforcement decisions and bulletins, which show the Code applied to real cases
Broadcast compliance training courses run by bodies like the BBC Academy or industry training providers
Shadowing a broadcast standards and compliance editor during pre-transmission review
Pro Tip
Keep a running note of Ofcom's published adjudications relevant to your genre — precedent from actual rulings is often more useful for judging borderline content than the Code's text alone
Skills that use this tool
Roles that use this tool