Securing more balanced reporting of race issues and raising the general standards of reporting around issues of race in the media are important priorities for the Commission for Racial Equality.
Despite many examples of excellent reporting and a growing presence of ethnic minority staff, particularly in broadcasting, there is still a long way to go before the media can say that it truly reflects the multiracial nature of British society and serves the needs of all those in it. All parts of the media are now covered by codes of practice which, among other things, are designed to enable members of the public to complain about racially offensive aspects of media content.
The CRE has no direct role in handling such complaints, though it does seek to ensure that the bodies responsible give proper attention to the issue. It also works with editors and programmers to encourage higher standards. Those wishing to complain about the content of different parts of the media should write to the bodies listed below. The CRE Media Office is interested in seeing copies of the complaints and of the responses. This will help the CRE judge the effectiveness of existing arrangements and encourage the relevant agencies to work for improvements where these are required. Please send any copies of correspondence to the Media Office, CRE, St Dunstan's House, 201-211 Borough High Street, London SE1 1GZ.
All broadcasting, both BBC and commercial, is covered by codes of conduct. The commercial sector has its own specific codes supervised by the relevant licensing authorities. The BBC has separate procedures culminating with its Board of Governors. Viewers and listeners can complain either to the specific body (Independent television Commission, Radio Authority and the BBC) or to the general agency, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, or both.
Complaints should be made quickly as programme recordings will probably not be kept beyond six weeks. Write to the relevant station before or at the same time as making your complaint.
Viewer and Listener Correspondence, BBC, 4th Floor, Villiers House, The Broadway, Ealing, London W5 2PA or Head of Programme Complaint, Complaints Unit, BBC Broadcasting House, London W1A 1AA
The Viewer and Listener Information service of the BBC provides a daily summary of comments from listeners and viewers for senior programme makers. The Programme Complaints Unit deals with formal complaints about programmes. If you are not satisfied with its verdict you can take it to the Governors' Programme Complaints Appeals Committee. These services cover both BBC radio and television programmes.
You must include with the complaint the programme title, the channel on which the programme was broadcast, and the transmission date. There is no specific time limit for making a complaint.
The Independent television Commission, established under the 1990 Broadcasting Act, has drawn up a Programme Code, a Public teletext Code and a Code of Advertising Standards and Practice against which members of the public can complain about all independent tv programmes and adverts. The results are published in a monthly Programme Complaints and Interventions Report.
Its 1995 Annual Report said: 'The ITC noted a few occasions when remarks made by programme performers had racial connotations ... in no instance was there any evidence that offence had been intended. Nevertheless the ITC informed the licensees responsible that their potential to give offence made such remarks entirely unacceptable.' Its 1997 Annual Report noted: 'The number of complaints about racial offence more than doubled.'
With a complaint you must include the programme title; the date, time and channel on which the programme was broadcast; and a brief account of the reasons for your complaint.
The Authority, established under the 1990 Broadcasting Act, regulates programming and advertising on all independent (non-BBC) radio stations. It has drawn up three codes: the News and Current Affairs Code, the Programme Code which covers taste and decency and other matters, and the Advertising and Sponsorship Code, against which members of the public can complain. The Authority publishes a quarterly bulletin which gives details of complaints and its decisions.
Write as soon as possible, to ensure that your letter reaches the Authority within 42 days of the broadcast. Include the name of the station which broadcast the item, the date and time (to the nearest half hour) of the broadcast, and full details of your complaint. If you are unhappy with the response, contact the Broadcasting Standards Commission or Radiocommunications Agency at New King's Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London SE1 9SA, 020 7211 0507.
Established under the 1996 Broadcasting Act, the Commission works both as an advisory body monitoring, researching and as a complaints authority for all broadcasting. It publishes codes of practice which broadcasters and regulators must reflect in their own codes and guidelines. Its research programme also includes an annual report on the representation of minority groups on television. A complaint must be made within 2 months of a television broadcast and 3 weeks of a radio broadcast. To make a complaint you must use a complaints form (phone the BSC to get one). You must include with the form a brief description of your complaint, giving specific details of the words and/or scenes which caused concern, the name of the channel or station, the date and time of the broadcast, and the title of the programme or the name of the product or service advertised (if you are complaining about an advertisement).
The ASA hears complaints under the British Code of Advertising and Sales Promotion. Its provisions are expected to be followed by everyone who prepares and publishes advertisements, whether on leaflets or posters or in publications, cinemas, or on the internet. The ASA is independent of both the advertising business and the government. Since February 1995, the code has covered race.
When you complain, please include your own opinion of the advertisement and a copy of the advert. The complaint must be sent as soon as possible.
A self-regulatory body established by the printed media, the PCC hears complaints under a Code of Practice that covers all printed publications. On racial offence, the PCC code does not allow complaints from anyone not named in the item; however, complaints should still be made, as the PCC needs to know how offensive such material can be if newspaper editors are to be persuaded to bring their code in line with those covering broadcasting and advertising.
At the 1996 CRE Race in the Media Awards, PCC Chairman, Lord Wakeham, said: 'Readers won't tolerate newspapers that treat racial minorities in an offensive manner. And nor will I. Contained within the newspaper industry's Code of Practice there is a clause that deals with race... If readers want to ratchet up standards as much as I do, to ensure that all journalists are foot soldiers with us in the battle against intolerance, then complain when something goes wrong. They will find my Commission ready, willing and able to assist.'
If you wish to complain, write to the editor of the newspaper or the magazine. You should include a cutting of the article or a clear dated copy of the item concerned and a summary of your complaint - including details of how the item breaks the Code of Practice. If you are dissatisfied with the editor's response, then write to the Press Complaints Commission. Complain to the PCC within one month of publication.