Sometimes programmes receive thousands of emails and careful decisions need to be made about how they should be handled. If any site gives an email address it should be made clear under what circumstances those who send an email can expect a reply. Our policy for replying should be in accordance with the BBC's accountability commitments. For pages which support programmes produced by independents, careful consideration needs to be given as to whether it is appropriate to give the independent's email address or a BBC address.
Requests for generic information about the BBC should be referred in the first instance to the BBC Information web site www.bbc.co.uk/info.
When sending emails such as fact sheets to the public via electronic lists or listservers, we should make it clear how those on the list may get their names removed. We should also take great care to see that the email addresses of other members of the list are not published.
We should not send emails (spam) to people who have not agreed to receive them. See Section 6: Privacy - Personal information.
Although email may seem ephemeral, producers should bear in mind that it may be treated like any other form of communication as far as legal discovery of documents is concerned. Programme makers should be aware that email may be required to be produced as evidence in a legal action e.g. where a court is attempting to discover the identity of a journalistic source.
All requests for registration and use of new email addresses and urls should be referred to Head of Editorial Affairs, New Media and Technology.