Shepton Radio Broadcasting Policy and Code: Issue 4
Radio Shepton is a community radio station aimed at people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. It is a non-biased entity that is fully inclusive of all community members and does not discriminate against any one individual or group. Although an internet station and not subject to Ofcom we have based Radio Shepton’s Broadcasting Code on their principles, which include but are not limited to the following:
To ensure that any person under 18 are protected;
To ensure that the radio services provided do not cause harm or are specifically offensive to any particular
individual or group;
To ensure that there is a proper degree of responsibility with respect to the content of any religious
programmes and that such content respects the views of all religions;
To ensure that any material likely to encourage or incite the commission of crime or that could lead to
disorder is not broadcast on the radio station;
To ensure that any broadcast avoids unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations;
To ensure that any broadcast avoids any unwarranted infringement of privacy;
To ensure that all sponsorship broadcast is suitable and is broadcast separately from any programme and
that there is a distinction between sponsorship and advertising;
To ensure that the station maintains editorial control over all programmes and that programmes are not
distorted for commercial purposes. Quality Standards and Disputes: The broadcast of a programme does not guarantee any future broadcasts. The quality of material shall be governed by the Board of Trustees for the Shepton Mallet Community Radio Charitable Trust. It will fall in line with, and not exceed Ofcom standards as published at https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-for-industry/guidance The Trustees will be guided by public reactions and our understanding of the different audience for each programme at different times of the day and maintain a website that will enable the audience to make a complaint. All Trustees will meet not less than once a year to revise the Broadcast Policy. DJ’s and Radio Presenters will be responsible for vetting the content of their pre-recorded shows before submitting them to Radio Shepton and will ensure that guests on their shows are also made aware of the Broadcast Policy. DJ’s and Radio Presenters will not submit material for broadcast that does not fall in line with this policy. Radio Shepton’s Trustees cannot be held accountable for the quality of each broadcast. However, it will respond to any complaints to Ofcom punctually and will make the final decision about any corrective actions. Any agreed actions will not be subject to appeal. The Programme Controller will strive to schedule radio programmes at the times requested by the DJ’s but will have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that broadcasts are scheduled at appropriate times. Any advertising on Radio Shepton will be legal, decent, honest and truthful according to the UK Code of Advertising Practice and the Advertising Standards Authority. The provision of a volunteer role is entirely at the discretion of the Trustees. The appointment of a volunteer for a specified period of time does not guarantee their continued involvement. Issue date 05-05-2019 End