Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry on call TV quiz shows
Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry on call TV quiz shows

Author: Great Britain: Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2007-03-26

Total Pages: 12

ISBN-13: 9780101707220

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A report by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (HCP 72, session 2006-07, ISBN 9780215032249), published in January 2007, raised a number of concerns regarding the lack of fairness and transparency in the operation of Call TV quiz shows. These quiz shows encourage viewers to take part in live broadcasts by sending in answers either by a text message or by calling a premium rate telephone service, with the broadcaster keeping a proportion of the call revenue. The Committee's report raised a number of concerns over the lack of fairness and transparency in the operation of these shows in relation to consumer protection and concluded that they should constitute gaming under the Gambling Act 2005. This document sets out the Government's response to the Committee's report, in which the Government notes its concern that recent reports which have highlighted continued failures in the operation of premium rate services across a range of interactive programmes have damaged public confidence in broadcasting. ICSTIS (the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services) will introduce a stronger regime of monitoring and inspection to improve regulation of the sector, whilst Ofcom (the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries) has announced that, in addition to investigating specific complaints, it will be undertaking an inquiry into the systematic failures of compliance in this sector.

Call TV quiz shows
Call TV quiz shows

Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Publisher: The Stationery Office

Published: 2007-01-25

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0215032241

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Call TV quiz shows are an example of television programmes provided by commercial broadcasters in order to increase their revenue. The viewer watches the live broadcast, then sends a text message or makes a premium rate telephone call in order to take part, with the broadcaster keeping a proportion of the call revenue. The Culture Committee has decided to examine this development, and whether some form of regulation is required since the programmes seem to be another means of gambling, with some members of the public complaining about them. This report therefore has set out a number of recommendations as to how broadcasters and regulators should address this. The Committee states that there seems to be a lack of fairness and transparency throughout the process. For example, players are generally not told that it is a matter of luck whether a call is connected to the studio and that the chances of getting through are very slim. Also the cost of calling is not always made as clear as it might be, or the amount players might have to spend to win a prize. Primary responsibility for maintaining confidence in the Call TV quiz show format rests with the operating companies and the broadcasters. The Committee believes that the guidance drawn up by the two main regulators, Ofcom and ICSTIS does not go far enough; the Committee also states that Call TV quiz shows should constitute gaming under the Gambling Act 2005, and the Culture Department and the Gambling Commission should consider this as a matter of urgency; operators should have voluntarily introduced practices intended to help viewers who make repeated premium rate calls appreciate how much they are spending; also some assessment of the addiction to participation in such shows should be undertaken; viewers should be made aware that puzzles on Call TV quiz shows have a cryptic element, and that Ofcom should make it obligatory to have games verified with a third party and solutions lodged with them to prevent underhand changes being made while the show is on air; Ofcom should also publish periodic reports on its monitoring of Call TV quiz programmes; any practice of misleading viewers about call volumes or of blocking of calls would be unfair and fraudulent and should be punished under criminal law; the Committee recommends that broadcasters should be required to display some recent historical information about volume of incoming calls, and the odds of being connected to the studio; also that a single body, Ofcom, take responsibility for registering all complaints.

After the Mobile Phone?
After the Mobile Phone?

Author: Maren Hartmann

Publisher: Frank & Timme GmbH

Published: 2008-07-30

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 3865961673

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After the Mobile Phone? Social Changes and the Development of Mobile Communication is a book that looks beyond. It looks beyond in terms of the coming developments concerning mobile technologies, of changes in the mobile media markets, of new aspects of mobile media uses. Moreover, it expands existing theoretical frameworks, since it uses diverse approaches from social sciences, from media studies, from technology studies, etc. After the Mobile Phone? also goes beyond the usual work on mobile media as it looks at wider societal appropriation processes. It is an up-to-date survey of how mobile media are used, produced and imagined. The authors in this book represent a range of well-known scholars in the field. They come from diverse backgrounds and represent a number of different countries.

Medium Law
Medium Law

Author: Daithí Mac Síthigh

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-09-13

Total Pages: 158

ISBN-13: 1317195035

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Why should anyone care about the medium of communication today, especially when talking about media law? In today’s digital society, many emphasise convergence and seek new regulatory approaches. In Medium Law, however, the ‘medium theory’ insights of Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan and the Toronto School of Communication are drawn upon as part of an argument that differences between media, and technological definitions, continue to play a crucial role in the regulation of the media. Indeed, Mac Síthigh argues that the idea of converged, cross-platform, medium-neutral media regulation is unattainable in practice and potentially undesirable in substance. This is demonstrated through the exploration of the regulation of a variety of platforms such as films, games, video-on-demand and premium rate telephone services. Regulatory areas discussed include content regulation, copyright, tax relief for producers and developers, new online services, conflicts between regulatory systems, and freedom of expression. This timely and topical volume will appeal to postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers interested in fields such as Law, Policy, Regulation, Media Studies, Communications History, and Cultural Studies.

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States
Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-07-29

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 0309142393

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Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.