Press Complaints Commission

http://www.pcc.org.uk/

Last year for my AS assignment I have looked at the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to see what is and isnt allowed into a music magazine. Some of the areas will be compatible with the article that I will be writing for my film and also if my poster is featured in a magazine.

The PCC is an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites).

The code of practise areas are:
- Accuracy
- Oppurtunity to reply
- Privacy
- Harassment
- Intrusion into grief and shock
- Children
- Children in sex cases
- Hospitals
- Reporting crime
- Clandestine devices and subterfuge
- Victims of sex cases
- Discrimination
- Financial journalism
- Confidential sources
- Witness payments in criminal trials
- The public interest



From the activity I have learnt about the factor that have to be considered for published materials, what the editiors have to do and how these factors will affect my ancillary products. It is unlikey that any of the factors listed above will be relevant to my article except that I will need to make sure that the information provided is accurate. The magazine that the article/poster is in will have to make sure that their consumers have the right to reply by providing their contact details. If any complications do arise, it would be expected for the magazine company to publish a written apology if the issue is a serious one.

The main ideas of the Press Complaints Commission is to ensure the published information is accurate, keeps the privacy of the people involved (especially in cases involving children and sex cases), doesn't intrude and gives the reader an oppurtunity to reply. With some cases, it could be argued that the article is intruding in peoples personal life however it can be argued that the article is in the public interest sector, for example, John Terry having an affair was deemed in the public interest sector because he is considered a role model in society.