Legal and Ethical

Legal issue – something identified within the project that could potentially lead to breaking the law if not addressed.  For example, a risk assessment is required for any filming.

Ethical issue – something identified within the project that could potentially lead to complaints if not addressed.  For example, a lack of diversity in an audio-visual product could lead to complaints that hurt the company involved.

Regulatory Bodies:

Legal and Ethical Issues for the brief:

Representation – in the advert and on the website, an effort should be made to represent the diversity of society, avoiding one gender or one race/ethnicity.  Only having white young men, for example, could lead to widespread criticism.  (ethical)

Health and Safety – in the advert, an effort should be made to ensure that cast and crew are safe in any/all locations.  Risk assessments should be undertaken.  (Legal)

Legal Issues relating to media:

• Freedom of Information Act - a piece of legislation that grants public access to documents or other data in the possession of a government agency or public authority, unless the information falls into a category that is specifically excluded from the terms of the legislation.

• Intellectual Property Rights - relates to the establishment and protection of intellectual creations such as inventions, designs, brands, artwork and music.

• Data Protection Act - The Act seeks to empower individuals to take control of their personal data and to support organisations with their lawful processing of personal data.

• Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 - gives the author or creator the exclusive right to copy, adapt, communicate, lend or sell copies of the work, although this right can be sold or transferred.

• Libel - defamatory statement that is written

• Slander - defamatory statement that is oral

Ethical Issues:

• Freedom of speech vs Causing offence - Freedom of Speech = the right to speak, write, and share ideas and opinions without facing punishment from the government. Causing Offence links into FoS because it becomes an ethical issue if someone causes harm by their words. Stating opinions can cause an ethical issue if it is controversial 

• Disturbing imagery - Pieces of media that the majority of the population find scary, gruesome, uncomfortable etc

• Offensive material - Media that people find offensive