Task 4 contract types

Contracts & pay
The media industry is one off a kind industry, it is flexible and constantly changing. This means that the contracts its workers have are more flexible than traditional jobs.

These are some of the most common contracts in the media industry:

• Full time, permanent
• Part time, permanent
• Shift work
• Fixed term and freelance
• Office hours
• Salaried
• On completion
• Irregular and anti social hours pay

Fixed term and freelance

These contracts are similar in that they are both temporary and will only last for a certain period of time. Under a fixed term contract you may still be entitled to company benefits if outlined in your contract. However, a freelance worker will be responsible for their own arrangements in terms of pension, holiday and sick pay and other allowances. The job roles most likely to be fixed term and freelance are technical, creative and sales and marketing.

Shift work

This means your hours are set to a certain time of the day, for example 7am-3pm or 11pm-7am. Shifts can include late or night work and are often used in places that need to be manned 24 hours a day, such as broadcasting centres (tv centres/radio centres)

Office hours

Traditionally, these are monday to friday, 9am-5pm. This contract is very common for people working in administration and office-based jobs. The job roles most likely to be office hours are financial and sales and marketing and some assistants job such as research assistant.

Full time, permanent

You work on a full time basis, usually 39 hours a week. A permanent contract means you are a regular member of staff entitled to company benefits including pensions, sick pay, maternity/paternity leave and holiday pay. The job roles most likely to be full time, permanent are managerial, editorial, financial, creative and sometimes sales and marketing.

Part time permanent

This means you work a fraction of a full time contract, once again you will have a set amount of hours per week. You will also be entitled to the same benefits as full time, permanent but on a reduced basis due to fewer working hours. The job roles most likely to be part time, permanent are financial and sometimes sales and marketing. 

Office hours

Traditionally, these are monday to friday, 9am-5pm. This contract is very common for people working in administration and office based jobs. The job roles most likely to be office hours are financial and sales and marketing and some assistants job such as research assistant. 

Irregular and anti social hours 
This is kind of like overtime, when a person is paid extra on top of their normal wages for working over or working unsociable hours.

Salaried
A set annual wage that is broken down into monthly payments. A salary will be advertised for example 20,000 per year it is then divided by 12 to give monthly payments. The job roles most likely to be salaried are managerial and sometimes technical and creative.

On completion
This means they won't pay you until the job is completed once it is you will get paid. Most likely jobs for this is creative and sometimes technical.

Types of jobs

• Technical 
• Creative
• Editorial
• Managerial
• Sales and marketing
• Financial 

Technical jobs 

They require the person to work with equipment and technology in order to help create media products. The role requires the ability to listen to, understand and carry out instructions correctly and good time management as projects often have strict deadlines.

Their are many roles for technical jobs such as a web developer, boom operator, gaffer, sound recordist, camera operator, technical director, technical producer and more.

Creative jobs 

They require the person to expand original ideas or products to help complete a finished product. The role requires a great imagination and the ability to work well in a team as these jobs are sometimes completed in a group. Jobs like this include web designer, script writer, set designer and cinematographer and much more.

Managerial jobs

They require to oversee the work of others and to organise time effectively and productively. The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work well with others. Jobs for managerial could include station manager, production manager, location manager and floor manager and more.

Editorial jobs

They are most often found in the print industry (magazines, newspapers ect). They require the person to check through work, review what has been produced and provide suggestions, make changes or bring the work together as a final piece. This role requires good communication skills and good English grammar is important for the print industry. Jobs may include TV or film editor, magazine editor or a newspaper editor.

Financial jobs

Financial jobs are those that require the person to generate revenue for the industry/business they work for. They have to make sure the budget of the project is handled carefully, when and how to channel money into new projects and account for the budget at all times. Financial jobs may include financial controller, production accountant and producer and more.

Sales and marketing jobs 
They require the person to communicate with other businesses and sell or promote products to them. The role requires good interpersonal and communication skills as sales and marketing jobs are ofter highly competitive jobs you can get are mostly public relations officer, film promoter, publicist, marketing assistand and marketing executive and more. 

task 2 ethical considerations

Ethical issues within the media industry

What is ethics?
Ethics are the moral principles that define how a group or person acts. However there are some issues in the ethical side of the media industry such as:

• Privacy
• Truth
• Mostly Trust

Ethical issues in the media industry

Ethical issues

Morality issues such as right and wrong have to be taken into account. Exploitation and sensationalism also have to be considered and taken into account.

Offensive material such as privacy and copyright. These are not usually enforced by law. Regulatory bodies and codes of practise exist often within the industry.

Representational issues are to do with the re-presentation of people,facts,opinions and events. The process of mediation.

Representation and ethics

Representation refers to the construction in any medium of aspects of reality such as people, places,objects,events,cultural identities and other abstract concepts. Such representations may be in speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures.

Ethics

A reporter when working on a certain story will have to make sure that he/she isn't bias or one sided towards that story. They must also gather both sides or the argument, for and against that story in order to gain a fair sided report.

For example religion. A reporter can't be one sided they must approach it with an open mind and not take sides.

Accuracy

The film industry make sure that they don't mislead their audience's. They must also make sure that they don't alter or change any facts as this will undermine the audience's trust in their content.

Harm and offence

TV producers have a responsibility to protect children and young people from unsuitable content as well as their rights of freedom of expression and freedom to receive information.

Fairness, contributor's and consent

Groups and individuals should usually be appropriately informed about the planned nature of context of their contributors when they are asked to take part in certain content and give their consent, unless there is an editorial justification for proceeding without their consent.

Privacy

Privacy is an important part in the media industry. Producers must make sure that they do not interfere with peoples personal lives and not to broadcast any material that the persons do not approve of.

Example for reality TV show

Geordie Shore

What they need to consider:

Cast background checks in case of criminal records etc

This needs to be done because if they had a criminal record it would affect the program and the image from the public eye.

(mental health check) in case any of the cast need to take any medication this should be done in privacy because the camera's can not show this, and in case of any fits they cannot show this on the TV.

Fairness, not showing one character as an angel and the other as a party animal. The TV producers cannot film Geordie Shore based on one person to make it fair they show the cast's real personality equally.

This programme is not aired on television until 10PM because it has explicit content with Sex scences, and smoking, swearing ect.

Example for soaps

Coronation street

What they need to consider:

Graphic content in case this has affected someone in the audience in their past it could cause issues for example a car crash and a child dying this could of happened in real life so it could affect someone in the audience at the end of the show they need to put "if this has affected someone in the audience call this number ........." where a complaint can be made or they can tell the programme producers how they were affected by that week's episode.

No offensive speech or racism on the programme.

Example for comedy

Frankie Boyle

Making sure that they don't just take the mic out of one person or just picking on one certain topic, as it can upset people for example just targeting a certain gender, disability or skin colour.

For example Frankie Boyle was talking about James Arthur...

Writing a twitter post saying "James Mcarthur is like a cross  between a tramp and a duckling" which caused an argument between the two of them. When commenting on celebrities you have to be careful when you are a comedian because you can be sued for saying things like this or if you make anything up about a celebrity and tweet it legal action will be taken.

Also he had problems with Chris Brown, Rebecca Adlington, Richard Dawkins, Barack Obama, Piers Morgan and also many other celebrity's.

BBC PRODUCER GUIDELINES

The BBC have guidelines for producers to follow so they do not get sued because if they break these guidelines they could face having to go to court. It it to protect the public from things that should not be published, put live on air or filmed.

Basically say if a radio producer was at a crime scene asking questions and wanting to know answers they have to protect the people that it may involve because there could be suspects and they are not allowed to mention there names on the radio unless they are given permission because they could have been wrongly accused.

Also say if someone was wanting to publish a film and it had allot of violence in it they have to check the guidelines to see how much and what type of violence they can put into a film, because the guidelines are there to protect the public from seeing things such as animal abuse and child abuse it could affect the audience when watching this certain film if it is not following the producer guidelines. And the film could be banned from the country for example like the human centipede 2 was.

In TV programmes they also have to be careful when putting scenes in that involve alcohol, smoking, solvent abuse and illegal drugs, for example in an episode of coronation street Peter is an alcoholic and because this certain soap is not on at a late time they have to make sure at the end of the programme they say if you have been affected by this programme and they will give a contact number to call. Also they have to make sure that contributors to programmes such as studio debates or chat shows do not smoke. Also they need to avoid revealing explicit detail of how to use illegal drugs or abuse solvents, unless clearly editorially justified because when showing drugs on a TV programme or in a film it offend people watching the show and may be took of.

indentifying regulatory issues P3 M3 D3

What is the definition of monopoly?

Single company or group owns all or nearly all of the market for a given type of product or service. By definition, monopoly is characterized by an absence of competition, which often results in
high prices and inferior products. According to a strict academic definition, a monopoly is a market containing a single firm. In such instances where a single form holds monopoly power, the company will typically be forced to divest its assets. Antimonopoly regulation protects free markets from being dominated by a single entity.

Why is it important to ensure that no single media producer in the UK has a monopoly?

It is important to maintain a range of producers owning different aspects of the media industry.

Why is consumer choice important?

It gives customers of your product the right to choose in regards of how they purchase and utilise the product.

What is the definition of censorship?

Censorship is the act of withholding information or a production from the public. Usually done because the product is seen as potentially harmful or offensive.

Why do some people think there is a fine line between censorship and protecting the public interest?
Some people think there is a fine line between censorship and protecting the public because sometimes when films are made in the industry they cannot be released because they have failed to not break the censorship law, something that is so extreme cannot be released as it could cause distribution and many other things, things like this are kept from the public because of the act as it says it must protect the public and also if seen it could be offensive or harmful. Some people believe this is wrong and we have free will to do what we want so others should not be able to stop us from that and film producers are sometimes annoyed but it's breaking the law if shown.

Why should under 18s be subject to particular consideration by regulators?




Under 18's are subject to particular consideration by regulators because of the things that are on the film/tv ect, if it isn't suitable for anyone under 18 then it is marked an 18 and when released in cinema's people under the age of 18 will not be allowed to see it without ID, it's for our safety because of the scenes in it could be horrifying or disturbing or could make someone ill by watching it. That is also why some games are made 18's because the language is not suitable for children or what you see on it could be illegal and it prevents anyone under the age of 18 from copying of something the have seen on a film or game.

Producer guidelines and regulatory body

Producer guidelines are the guidelines used to direct producers into not breaking any legal or ethical constraints, when first being employed to work for channels such as BBC, ITV and channel 4 they are made to know what the guidelines are for these programmes so they don't end up doing anything wrong and so they know what is appropriate and what is not to use on the programme.

Regulatory body

PCC

The PCC, which is the Press Complaints Commission deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines and also their websites. The PCC was founded in 1953 however in the late 1980's many newspapers breached the standards of the PCC and others were not satisfied with the council, some of them believed that it would be preferable to enact a law of privacy and right of reply as well as to set up a statutory press council wielding enforceable legal sanctions. The press need to be careful about what they publish they need to make sure of accuracy they cannot publish anything inaccurate, misleading or distorted information including images also they need to be careful of opportunity to reply as a fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for, also privacy is a major issue that should not be broken everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.

         Ofcom

Ofcom is a communications regulator, they regulate TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. Ofcom was formed 29th December 2003 created by Office of communications Act 2002, the headquarters are in London, United Kingdom and the chairman is Colette Bowe. The creation of Ofcom was announced in the Queen's speech in the UK parliament in June 2001. Ofcom launched on 29th December 2003 formally. In July 2009 David Cameron warned in a speech attacking the proliferation of quangos that Ofcom as we know it will cease to exist if his party came to power. In July 2011 the news interational phone hacking scandal, Ofcom came under pressure to launch an inquiry into whether the parent company of News International, News Corporation was still fit and proper owner of a controlling stake in the satelitte broadcasting company British Sky Broadcastin.When problems occur Ofcom has the powers to step in and take action for the benefit of citizens and consumers. This can involve encouraging competition or resolving regulatory disputes between communications providers. We also enforce consumer protection law, protect and manage the radio spectrum, and ensure viewers and listeners are protected from offensive and harmful material and treated fairly.





BBFC




The BBFC which is the British Board of Film Classification is independent, non governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and video's/ DVDs since the video recording act was passed in 1984.


The classifications include:
Suitable for all
Parental guidance
Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
Video release suitable for 12 years and over
Suitable only for 15 years and over
Suitable only for adults 18+
Adults works for licensed premises only

Examiers look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, irritable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, sexual voilence, theme and violence when making decisions.
The board was founded in 1912 then titled the British Board of Film Censors. The orgins of the BBFC lay Health and Safety as early as film stock, and limelight which was used in projecting early films, were both fire hazards. Local Authorities were originally given power to license cinemas with reasonable restrictions, and could rate film. The BBFC was then set up by the film industry to standardise the ratings and give uniform film classification to all films in the UK. It is an independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees. This means film distributors have always paid a fee to have their works rated. The BBFC is a not for profit organisation.

If when making a film and the BBFC checks it if it does not reach their standards the film will be not legal to show in the UK such as the Human Centipede 2.




The Advertising Standards Authority is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. We apply the Advertising Codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice. Our work includes acting on complaints and proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.

In 1961 the advertisting association folling disussions with the other industry associations, agreed that it was important that advertisements were welcomed and trusted by consumers in non-broadcast media too.As a result, the industry (agencies, media and advertisers) came together to form the Comittiee of advertising practice) and produced the first edition of the British Code of Advertising Practice.
Our mission is to ensure that advertising in all media is legal, decent, honest and truthful, to the benefit of consumers, business and society.

Their aim is:

• Making  a success of regulating online ads
• Being an effective part of the response to societal issues shown to be affected by advertising
• Placing more emphasis on prevention rather than cure
• Being more efficient and in tune with consumers, business and society

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. We investigate and adjudicate on potential breaches of the Advertising Codes, and monitor compliance with the rules.

legal issues and the areas of law that apply to the creative media sectors

Why is it important for producers to have an understanding of the legal constraints?

It is important for producers to have an understanding of legal constraints so that they don't run into breaking one of these law's when producing work as it could end up with prosecution or even worse, they need to know if broadcasting or publishing something untrue, that can damage someone's reputation can end up getting them sued for alot of money by the person that it was about. They also need to know that they can not produce anything that is likely to deprave and corrupt as they cannot produce something that lawyers havent checked over before being released incase of to much sexually explicit, violence or drug taking as if it is and it is broadcasted the film can be banned from the country and also the producers can be took to court. They also need to make sure they don't publish anything that will break the privacy (Human rights Law) as this can lead to the producers company being shut down. Also making sure they do not copy any work from other producers without permission as they other producers can take them to court and get them sued for not having copyrights. The last thing they need to know is not to publish information from someone's phone or hack into something that is private and none of their business as this could lead to company closure also.


OBSCENEITY LAW

The definition of this is content that is "likely to deprave and corrupt" the audience for which it is intended. Lawyers may need to hceck whether a production breaks this law before it is released. Content such as sexually explitcit, violent and/or drug taking is reviewed for suitability. Decisions are made dependent on factors such as age range of the audience, the time a production is broadcast.

An example of this is the Human Centipede 2 was band in the UK for being related to sexual violence, graphic gore, breach of law relating to obscenity.


LIBEL LAW

You can be sued for damages if you publish or broadcast things about a person which are untrue and damage their reputation (defame them) The law was created to protect individuals or organisations from unwarranted, mistaken or untruthful attacks on their repuatation.

An example of this is Lord McAlpine as someone tweeted that he was part of a paedophile ring which targeted children at a care home in Wrexham, he pursued Sally Bercow wife of commons speakers John over comments she made on a social networking site.

PRIVACY LAW HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998

If a media company publishes information about someone which is information that should be considered private, that is to say, information in respect of which you had a 'reasonable expectation of privacy', then legal action for misuse of private information can be brought under the Human Rights Act 1998.

An example of this is a french magazine breaking a law as they put a picture of the Dutchess of Cambridge in their magazine and she was topless sunbathing.

OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT

It is a criminal offence to obtain or publish any information froma serving or former member of the securtiy and intelligence services or from certain categories of civil servants or public contractors where that disclosure would be damaging.

An example of this would be News of the World phone hacking scandel were they hacked into Millie Dowler's phone.

COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW

This law exists to protect people's creative endeavours so that they can properly benefit from their work. If such protection didn't exist and people were able to copy or sell or profit from another's work, there would be little incentive for people to create in the first place. Programme-makers are responsible for ensuring that all necessary clearances (copyright, trademarks etc.) have been obtained for their programmes.

An example of this would be Itunes film breaking the copyright law as Russian films are being made available through Apple's Itunes service without the consent of the copyright holders, the films were old favourites Gentlemen of fortune, Assa, The diamond arm, Kin-dza-dza and Cheburashka despite their age the films and cartoons are still protected by copyright.