Media Act Update: Ofcom Consults On Content Standards And Accessibility Codes

The Media Act 2024 granted Ofcom new powers to create and enforce a new content standards Code for video-on-demand services (ie streaming services). Historically, streaming services have not been regulated like traditional broadcasters which are subject to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. This has left viewers with inconsistent protections when watching across different platforms. Some streamers are not based in the UK, and have fallen outside Ofcom's regulation entirely, even though they target and profit from UK audiences. Therefore, the aim is to level the regulatory playing field between streaming services and traditional broadcasters. 

Ofcom is now consulting on two draft codes:

• The Standards Code: on rules around harmful and offensive content, fairness and privacy, and due impartiality and due accuracy in news – this is very similar to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, but does not address commercial content; and