Guidelines

5.4.2

We must clearly signpost challenging content on all of our services using, either alone or in combination, appropriate scheduling and content information which is clear, consistent and factual.  This is to ensure that our audiences have an appropriate expectation of our content and opportunity to make informed decisions about what they see and hear. 

5.4.3

When relevant, we should provide clear information about the content of pre-watershed programmes, programmes which start before the watershed and run beyond it, and post-watershed programmes (if appropriate).

(See Section 5 Harm and Offence: 5.4.6 - 5.4.11)

On-demand content which would be post-watershed on television should be labelled where appropriate.

(See Section 5 Harm and Offence: 5.4.15 - 5.4.17)

On radio, we should provide content information when children are particularly likely to be in our audience or when content has the potential to exceed usual audience expectations.

(See Section 5 Harm and Offence: 5.4.12 - 5.4.14)

Information about challenging or unexpected content can include on-air and online announcements, content labels, electronic programme guides, trails, billings, Ceefax, press releases and other publicity.

5.4.4

When we make audio or visual content available on demand on BBC platforms, and where appropriate, we must provide information to enable users to understand its context and to make informed choices about its suitability, both for themselves and for children, before they access it. 

5.4.5

Stronger or more challenging content may require labelling under the 'G for Guidance' system.  This provides:

• the BBC's 'G for Guidance' icon indicating that content guidance is available for the user
• a system of content labels to describe strong or challenging content
• a PIN/password protection system so that parents can restrict access to more challenging material carrying a content label.