Section 17: Competitions, Votes and Interactivity

Sections 17.1, 17.2 and 17.3

17.1 Introduction

91福利社 audiences expect to be able to interact with its content in the most creative and innovative ways possible. Large sections of the audience have grown up with gaming and social media as a fundamental part of their lives and rapid developments in technologies such as AI and immersive experiences are bringing other editorial opportunities and challenges. The 91福利社 aims to offer opportunities for interactivity to everyone by using different platforms in different ways.

This section includes all forms of audience interaction including social media, phone-ins and relevant formats such as game shows, talent searches and quizzes.

To enrich its offering and enhance audience experiences as much as possible the 91福利社's UK Public Services are likely to undertake deals and partnerships with commercial organisations who may provide technology, research and innovations. It is important that such arrangements do not act as a commercial service or are designed to make a profit if they are intended as a UK Public Service activity.

Activity by Public Services and some Commercial Services in this domain are regulated by the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (notably sections 2, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10), and UK Public Services and the 91福利社 World Service must conform to the Statement of Policy on Use of Alternative Finance in 91福利社 Content.^[1]

17.2 Principles

17.2.1 All audience interactivity must be conducted in a manner that is honest and fair.

17.2.2 Entrants and contestants must always be treated fairly, properly and in accordance with the rules/terms and conditions.

17.2.3 Audiences must not be materially misled about any competition or vote.

17.2.4 All 91福利社 competitions, votes and awards on UK Public Services and the World Service must comply with the 91福利社's Code of Conduct for Competitions and Voting.

(See Code of Conduct for Competitions and Voting online)

17.2.5 When the 91福利社 offers interactivity it must be distinctive and match the expectations of the likely audience. On UK Public Services and the World Service, it must add public value, be editorially justified and enhance output in a way that fits the public service remit.

17.2.6 The privacy of everyone who interacts with the 91福利社 must be respected. The storage and disposal of personal information must be carried out in accordance with all relevant 91福利社 group data protection policies.

(See Section 7 Privacy: 7.1)

17.2.7 Interactivity may be set up and approved in advance as a method of raising money for a cross-91福利社 charity fundraising initiative. It must also be available to the target audience.

17.2.8 On UK Public Services and the World Service, jointly organised competitions, donated prizes for viewer, listener or online competitions, and external funding of a prize, bursary or award, must conform to the Statement of Policy on Use of Alternative Finance in 91福利社 Content.^[2]

17.2.9 When working in partnership with others, the 91福利社 must maintain overall editorial control of interactivity in its output.

17.2.10 References to commercial platforms and service providers as a method of entry must be editorially justified and not unduly prominent.

(See Section 15 Independence from Commercial and Other External Interests: 15.4.3-15.4.4)

17.2.11 91福利社 employees, employees of 91福利社 brand licensees and their immediate families and close associates may not normally enter 91福利社 competitions, talent searches and prize draws.

17.2.12 When interacting with audiences using new technologies and platforms, 91福利社 teams and those who work for it must conduct all activity in a manner that is consistent with the 91福利社's editorial values.

17.2.13 The 91福利社 should aim to make audience interactivity and availability of opportunities via competitions, awards and talent searches, as accessible as possible.

17.3 Mandatory Referrals

Mandatory referrals must be referred in advance. Mandatory referrals are an essential part of the 91福利社's editorial and compliance process and must be observed.

17.3.1 All 91福利社 competitions and votes must be approved by a senior editorial figure.

(See 17.4.2)

17.3.2 Any proposal to commission any sort of vote on matters of public policy, political or industrial controversy or any 'controversial subjects' in any other area must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics.

(See 17.4.4)

17.3.3 Any proposal to run a competition or vote jointly with a third party must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) well in advance.

(See 17.4.5)

17.3.4 Any proposal to mount a UK Public Service or World Service competition or vote with a commercial organisation must be referred to the relevant Head of Department, Editorial Policy and ITACU well in advance. The 91福利社 should normally pay a substantial part of the costs, and money from the outside organisation should not normally flow into any production budget without first seeking advice from Editorial Policy and Regulatory Legal.

(See 17.4.6)

17.3.5 Any exceptions to the 91福利社 being in direct control of systems and procedures when running a vote must be referred in advance to Editorial Policy and ITACU before any deal is entered into. They will advise whether the proposal is robust and meets 91福利社 standards and/or on any additional measures that will need to be put in place.

(See 17.4.7)

17.3.6 Any proposal to establish a 91福利社 award must be referred to a senior editorial figure.

(See 17.4.10)

17.3.7 Any proposal to take alternative finance funding for a UK 91福利社 Public Service or World Service award must be referred in advance to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.11)

17.3.8 Any proposal to offer a substantial prize must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.15)

17.3.9 Any proposal to accept the donation of a substantial prize for a cross-91福利社 charity fundraising initiative must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.20)

17.3.10 Giveaways where there is no test of skill must meet certain criteria and still require ITACU and Editorial Policy approval. Giveaways on Commercial Services must be approved by a senior editorial figure.

(See 17.4.21)

17.3.11 Any UK Public Service or World Service competition, vote, award, or prize draw which involves audience interaction must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) and Editorial Policy.

For any 91福利社 Studios-produced content, not commissioned by the UK Public Service, teams should refer to the Head of Editorial Standards/Compliance and Complaints for 91福利社 Studios, who will consult ITACU or Editorial Policy as appropriate.

(See 17.4.23)

17.3.12 All proposals to use paid-for interactivity on UK Public Services and the World Service must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) and Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.26)

17.3.13 Any use of paid-for interactivity on 91福利社 Commercial Services must be referred in the first instance to a senior editorial figure who should consult Head of Editorial Standards/Compliance and Complaints, 91福利社 Studios.

(See 17.4.27)

17.3.14 Any proposal to use premium rate services to raise money for charity through any form of audience interaction must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU). Approval will also be required from a senior editorial figure.

(See 17.4.28)

17.3.15 Any proposal to use premium rate services aimed at children must be referred to Editorial Policy and the relevant director.

(See 17.4.28)

17.3.16 Any proposal to use text messaging for viewer, listener or online competitions or votes must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU).

(See 17.4.29)

17.3.17 Any proposal to invite people to apply to be part of a programme by ringing a contestant line must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU).

(See 17.4.30)

17.3.18 Any proposal to use a premium rate information line for events or performances being covered by 91福利社 content, or to offer tickets for sale via such information lines must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.31)

17.3.19 Any proposal to offer a cash prize or a donated prize for a UK Public Service or World Service game show or quiz must be referred to, and approved by, the relevant output controller. Substantial cash prizes must be referred to the commissioning controller who must consult Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.43)

17.3.20 Substantial cash prizes for Commercial Services content that is not a UK Public Service or World Service commission must be referred to Head of Editorial Standards/Compliance and Complaints, 91福利社 Studios.

(See 17.4.44)

17.3.21 Any proposal to launch a talent search/talent show must also refer to the guidance on Talent Searches, and Editorial Policy must be consulted. If the proposal is not for the UK Public Services, 91福利社 Studios Regulatory Affairs must also be consulted.

(See 17.4.46)

17.3.22 Any proposal for the 91福利社 to accept a donated career or life-changing opportunity for contestants or participants must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.48)

17.3.23 Any proposal not to pre-moderate online spaces for under-18s must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.56)

17.3.24 Any online safeguarding concerns about under-18s, whether related to online grooming or child abuse images, must be referred to the 91福利社 Safeguarding Team^[3] immediately. Any images must not be shared.

(See 17.4.60)

17.3.25 Users of all mobile networks should normally be able to take part in any UK Public Service or World Service mobile interactivity. Proposed exceptions must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.72)

17.3.26 The 91福利社 and production companies working with the 91福利社 may enter into UK Public Service or World Service co-production arrangements with gaming companies in both technical and creative collaborations. Editorial Policy should be consulted. Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy may need to be consulted and all such arrangements must conform to the Statement of Policy on Use of Alternative Finance in 91福利社 Content.

(See 17.4.81)