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Under the terms of the Programme production agreement (PPA) all programmes made for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Television must comply with a number of ´óÏó´«Ã½ guidelines and policies. Ensure production staff are using the current versions as procedures can change.

Further general policy information can be found on the .

Access arrangements

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ and Pact have issued guidance for independent production companies negotiating access arrangements.

PACT Members can download a template Access agreement from the .

Anti-bribery

The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Anti-bribery high level principles and guidelines for independent production companies sets out its commitment to upholding all laws relevant to countering bribery and corruption and provides information and guidance on how to recognise and deal with these issues.

Audience interactivity policy

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ also has downloadable .

´óÏó´«Ã½'s Interactive Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) can advise production teams on the best practice and use of telephone numbers, email addresses and voting services being used to gain interactivity from the public and will discuss this with production teams, to ensure validation and vote integrity if relevant. ITACU are also happy to suggest information, not advice, about other aspects of user interactivity.

If you require further advice, your ´óÏó´«Ã½ Executive Producer or Commissioning Editor will be able to refer your questions to the appropriate editorial policy advisor for further guidance and advice.

Email: ITACU@bbc.co.uk

Please note that Phone-paid Services Authority have a registration scheme which is mandatory for anyone promoting premium rate services. Independent production companies will need to register in their own right if they promote premium rate numbers outside ´óÏó´«Ã½ media (e.g. printed media).

For further information about using audiences in ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes please see the Production resources page.

Branding and credit guidelines

Guidance must be followed to maintain the strength of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ brand and ensure consistency for all our programmes.

The relevant policies are:

• Credit guidelines for ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes
• ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s third party brand and design commercial guidelines, comprising:

1. Branding guidelines for ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes on third party broadcasters or platforms
2. Branding guidelines for ´óÏó´«Ã½ credit badges on third party products

• Talent as executive producer policy
• Independent producer joint promotion guidelines

Child protection

Everyone directly interacting with children on behalf of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ must comply with the Child protection policy and Code of conduct.

Visit the Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults page to read the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Safeguarding code of conduct and for further guidance and links. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Child protection policy is available from the .

Content compliance policy

Download the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Content compliance policy from the Compliance for TV and online page.

This covers areas such as:

• The clarification of sign off arrangements
• Compliance form exceptions including for late deliveries
• The mandatory procedure for referable language
• iPlayer revocation process
• Process for repeats
• Arrangements for live programming

Find out more on the Compliance for television and online page.

Data protection

Independent production companies are responsible for ensuring they manage and protect personal data properly and in accordance with legislation. This is a requirement under the standard Programme production agreement and is in accordance with the (DPA).

The approved security guidance documents should be used by all production teams making content for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Television.

(Pre 2018 versions of the data protection guidelines can be downloaded from the A - Z page.) Where an independent production company is working in the capacity of Data Processor this guidance constitutes written instructions from the ´óÏó´«Ã½ as required under the legislation. If the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is acting in the capacity as Data Processor and the independent production company is the Data Controller, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ will take these guidelines as its written instructions unless directed otherwise in writing by the Data Controller.

The guidelines are the minimum standards the ´óÏó´«Ã½ expects for best working practise.

  is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

Data protection for Silvermouse production reporting

Personal data

Data from the current P4A system will be migrated into the online production reporting system . Both migrated data and data newly entered into Silvermouse will in some cases include limited amounts of contributors’ personal data. This is required for the purposes of rights management and royalty payments for future exploitation. Personal details will only be shared with third parties or the ´óÏó´«Ã½ group for this purpose and related activities, and to fulfil statutory and regulatory obligations. If you have any queries about personal data on Silvermouse please contact silvermouse.support@bbc.co.uk

Terms of use

Those inputting data into the online production reporting system  in respect of ´óÏó´«Ã½ commissioned programmes should note that the software company Soundmouse’s standard Terms of use do not apply. Instead, the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s amended Terms of use agreed with Soundmouse will apply. Users can request a version of these Terms of use via the email silvermouse.support@bbc.co.uk.

Delivery

Please see the delivery timeline for all delivery requirements.

Digital release policy

The Digital release policy outlines how independent producers may use programme extracts to help extend programme brands online for both promotional and commercial purposes in the UK. In addition it offers some guidelines for the management of infringing copies through YouTube Content ID software.

Editorial guidelines

All ´óÏó´«Ã½ programmes and content must comply with the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s policies and guidelines.

Visit the  for full information.

During production it is an independent production companies responsibility to work in accordance with the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Editorial guidelines.

Independent production companies have access to Editorial Policy teams and to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Programme Legal Advice team but in the first instance referrals should be made through the ´óÏó´«Ã½ executive producer. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ executive producer is the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s editorial safeguard and the final judgement about what is and is not permissible rests with them. It is the independent production companies responsibility to inform the ´óÏó´«Ã½ executive producer of any new risks or issues that could affect the reputation of the ´óÏó´«Ã½.  

For any queries please contact the relevant commissioning executive in the first instance, who will be able to refer the question to the appropriate editorial policy advisor. See the contacts page for details of how to contact the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Editorial Policy team.

Please ensure accessibility guidelines are followed. Find out more about accessibility from an audience perspective on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Accessibility Help site.

There are a number of resources to help programme makers understand ´óÏó´«Ã½ editorial values:

Welcome to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ - editorial values course

Independent production companies and freelance content producers are advised to attend the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Editorial Values two hour face-to face course 'Welcome to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ – Editorial Values'. This replaces the previous Safeguarding Trust online training course. It is not mandatory for independent production companies to attend the course but it is highly recommended to all those making content for the ´óÏó´«Ã½. The course will be mandatory for new joiners to in-house ´óÏó´«Ã½ production teams.

The session is free of charge to independent production companies and freelancers. It is open to all but it is recommended that those who have not completed the Safeguarding Trust course should be prioritised. 

To book a place on one of these sessions or discuss dates and locations email welcometothebbc.editorialvalues@bbc.co.uk or call the team on 07711 349 252.

´óÏó´«Ã½ editorial standards online courses

In addition to the face-to-face 'Welcome to the ´óÏó´«Ã½ - Editorial Values' course, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Academy has created 25 interactive online modules (between 15 - 30 minutes in length) to help users apply the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Editorial guidelines to ´óÏó´«Ã½ content. The courses include real programmes, role playing scenarios and master classes. 

These modules are not mandatory but are highly recommended for all individuals making content for the ´óÏó´«Ã½. 

Topics include accuracy, impartiality, privacy, harm and offence, working with children, competitions, fairness, contributors, consent, and conducting surveys.   

Access the online modules for .

Fair trading

As a publicly funded broadcaster the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has a responsibility to ensure that it trades fairly and has regard to the competitive impact of its activities. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Fair trading guidelines provide guidance on how the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s activities – both public service and commercial – will trade fairly.

Find out more.

Holdback release policies

Programme release (holdback) policy

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ may consent to a programme being released into the secondary television and commercial video-on-demand (VoD) market during its primary rights license period when it considers further exploitation would not be in conflict with this license.

An independent production company must secure the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s consent to the exploitation of any secondary television and/or commercial video-on-demand rights in the UK during the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s licence period of the programme.

Library sales and holdback policy

A library sale is when extracts or rushes from a programme are used in another audio visual work. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has supplied guidance on how independent production companies can exploit rights as early as possible in agreement with the ´óÏó´«Ã½.

Impartiality guidelines and training

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is committed to achieving due impartiality in all its output. This commitment is fundamental to our reputation, our values and the trust of audiences. A breach of these standards can put the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in breach of its regulatory obligations.

All production companies making content for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ must comply with our , which are part of our .

The production of programmes in news, current affairs, and factual journalism often involves difficult judgement calls over the question of due impartiality. In order to help suppliers in these genres to confidently meet the required standard, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ provides impartiality standards briefings for executive producers working for independent production companies of TV programmes falling into these key genres. The briefings are face to face and last about one hour.

Please note, for these purposes, factual journalism includes returning strands which cover topical issues, and other programmes predominantly covering subject matter of a topical (including social and consumer matters) or potentially political nature. If you are unsure whether your programme falls into this category, please confirm with your commissioning editor.

Programmes in these key genres will only be commissioned on confirmation that the executive producer has attended a ´óÏó´«Ã½ impartiality standards briefing. The commissioning editor will be able to advise on briefings available ahead of commission.

For programme makers outside these key genres, a digital module on the subject will be made available which can be undertaken on a voluntary basis. Please ask your commissioning editor if this is of interest.  

Living wage

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is committed to paying a real living wage. All suppliers making programmes for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ are required to commit to paying their production personnel (those working directly on a production) the appropriate living wage during their contract, according to the location of their work. The rate of the living wage the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is taking as a benchmark is set out by the . 

Location and production incentives

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ has issued a guide covering location and/or production incentives used in financing independent film and television productions for the ´óÏó´«Ã½.

Respect at work guidance

Please see the Complaints, bullying and harassment page.

Social media policy

See the Social media guidelines and delivery page.

See the Safeguarding website for information about social media guidelines for children contributing to a production.

Ticketing and stewarding code of practice

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ ticketing and stewarding code of practice ensures that the ´óÏó´«Ã½ quality, standards and values are upheld in regards to audiences. Having a single code of practice ensures ´óÏó´«Ã½ audiences get the best experience and productions are able to run more smoothly.

Download the .

Please note: A responsible adult (who has permission from the parent/guardian) must accompany under-18s. Any exceptions to this policy must be referred to and agreed with by the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Safeguarding team in advance of the show or event. Find out more about Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Safety team can provide advice to help you complete your risk assessments. Contact the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Safety advice line Ask Al on 0464 or ask.al@bbc.co.uk. Find out more about production health and safety.