Watchdog
targets TV quizzes, sex chat and psychics Wed
Apr 9, 2008 2:28pm BST
By Peter Griffiths LONDON
(Reuters) - Television channels that make money from premium-rate telephone quizzes,
adult chat and psychic readings could be shut down unless they radically change
their output, the media watchdog said on Wednesday. Ofcom
said stricter rules designed to protect viewers mean channels can only use expensive
phone lines if there is "editorial justification". Under
the proposed changes, channels that exist simply as vehicles for premium-rate
lines would be closed down. They
would have to relaunch as "teleshopping" channels, but would then be
governed by advertising rules that most existing adult or psychic channels would
breach. The advertising
rules would also mean that ITV, Channel 4 and Five would have to cut their normal
advertising if they chose to broadcast "teleshopping" content. Ofcom's
review of premium-rate calls to TV channels comes after a string of cases where
viewers were misled during phone-ins. The BBC, Channel 4 and GMTV were among the
broadcasters fined for breaches. "The
new rules mean these channels face a much tougher regulatory regime which they
must comply with," said Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards. "Ofcom will
ensure that programmes only use premium-rate telephone lines where there is sufficient
editorial justification." The
proposals say: *
Channels must not give "undue prominence" to premium-rate phone-ins *
Programmes must "consist primarily of content other than the promotion"
of premium-rate calls *
The primary purpose of a programme must be editorial The
full proposals are online at www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/participation2/ The
deadline for responses is May 22. | 
