Privacy and Injunctions - Evidence - Parliament

Channel 4—Written evidence
In Channel 4’s view, there is an arguable case for the rule and practices under Section 8 of
the Code to be applied in a consistent manner across other media content, as this would
create a level playing field amongst publishers and broadcasters in those media, and provide
clarity and consistency to individuals who have a legitimate expectation of privacy. The Press
Complaints Commission’s Editors’ Code of Practice already contains some corresponding
provisions which address the issues covered under Section 8 of the Ofcom Code.
Currently there is little parity between broadcasters and other media, and whilst the Ofcom
Code can be enforced using the statutory sanctions referred to above against any party
which breaches its rules, there are no comparable sanctions which can be imposed on other
media, such as the print media or web content producers.
October 2011
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