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.

Broadcasting

In December 2003, a new regulatory body the Office of Communications (Ofcom) replaced the five separate bodies that had previously handled complaints against broadcasters in the UK.

Ofcom has taken over the work of:

• The Independent Television Commission;
• The Radio Authority, and
• The Broadcasting Standards Commission.

If you wish to make a complaint about any programme transmitted on radio or television, you should first contact Ofcom. However, if your complaint is about a programme transmitted by the BBC, you can also use the BBC's own complaints procedure (see below).

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.

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Office of Communications (Ofcom)

Ofcom is the new, single regulatory body for the UK's communications industry. It covers commercial television and radio, as well as telephone services and wireless communications.

When you contact Ofcom, make sure you have details to hand of the name of the programme, the channel it was shown on, and the time it was broadcast.

In most cases, there is a time limit to making a complaint:

• 42 days after transmission for radio programmes; or
• 90 days after transmission for TV programmes, except for cable or satellite broadcasts, where a 60 day limit applies.

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BBC

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.

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Advertising

Advertising Standards Authority

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.

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Press

Press Complaints Commission

The Press Complaints Commission is a self-regulatory body established by the printed media industry. It 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.

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 Commision. Complain to the PCC within one month of publication.

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