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PROPOSED REVISION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CONTENT REGULATION

Written by URCA on

13 December 2019

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR CONTENT REGULATION

The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) today published its consultation document on its proposed revision to the Code of Practice for Content Regulation (“the Code”).

The document includes URCA’s proposed revisions to Parts 6, 7 and 10 of the code which addresses Political Broadcasts and Political Advertisements, Advertising and Sponsorships, and the Complaints Handling Process. The revisions represent the combined work of URCA and the Content Regulation Industry Group (“CRIG”), a group of local broadcasters, which has been established under section 55 of the Comms Act., to assist URCA in regulating the broadcasting sector.

In June 2019, URCA convened a reconstituted CRIG to assist with the review of the Code, which included the consideration of the need for changes, and the preparation of draft amendments where necessary. During the review process, the CRIG was also invited to consider URCA’s proposed revisions to Parts 6, 7 and 10 of the Code, taking into account standards of other jurisdictions and how such jurisdictions treat with similar content related issues. The CRIG provided URCA with recommendations and written submissions, which URCA has taken into consideration.

URCA now invites written comments and submissions from members of the public, licensees and interested parties on the proposed changes in this consultation document. Persons may deliver their written comments or submissions to URCA’s Director of Electronic Communications either:

  • by hand, at URCA’s office at Frederick House, Frederick Street;
  • by mail, to P. O. Box N-4860;
  • by fax, to (242) 393-0237; or
  • by email, to info@urcabahamas.bs

All comments to this consultation document should be submitted on or before 31 January 2020. URCA will acknowledge receipt of all responses.

Below is a link to URCA’s Code of Practice for Content Regulation ECS 06/2012 which has not been included in this consultation document:

https://urcabahamas.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/ECS-06-2012-Final-Decision-Code-of-Practice-for-Content-Regulation-2.pdf