Guidelines

(Mandatory Referrals are part of the BBC's editorial management system.  While they will not, in themselves, meet the Principles in the Editorial Guidelines, they are an essential part of the process to ensure compliance and must be observed.

Note that Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) does not advise BBC Worldwide.  Whenever ITACU is referred to throughout the Editorial Guidelines, BBC Worldwide should consult BBC Worldwide Commercial Policy in the first instance.)

The following referrals to Editorial Policy apply to all BBC channels and services

17.3.1

Any proposal to use premium rate lines for services aimed at children must be referred to Editorial Policy and the relevant divisional director.

(See 17.4.17)

17.3.2

Any proposal to moderate an online space other than by pre, post or reactive moderation must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.41)

The following referrals to Editorial Policy apply only to the BBC's publicly funded services and BBC Global News

17.3.3

Any proposal to run a competition jointly with a third party must be referred to Editorial Policy and ITACU at an early stage.

(See 17.4.2)

17.3.4

Any proposal to run a vote jointly with a third party must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice Unit (ITACU) at an early stage.

(See 17.4.5)

17.3.5

Any proposal to take sponsorship for a BBC award must be referred to Chief Adviser Editorial Policy in advance.

(See 17.4.6)

17.3.6

Any proposal to offer a prize of significant value must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.11)

17.3.7

Any proposal to accept a donated prize for a game show must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.13)

17.3.8

Any donation of a substantial prize for a BBC charitable initiative must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.14)

17.3.9

Any proposal to use premium rate lines to raise money for charity through any form of audience interaction must be referred well in advance to Editorial Policy and ITACU.  Approval will also be required at a high divisional level.

(See 17.4.17)

17.3.10

All proposals to use premium rate telephony in licence fee-funded services and Global News must be referred to ITACU and Editorial Policy at an early stage.

(See 17.4.17)

17.3.11

We may trail on-air phone lines which provide information about events or performances being covered by BBC programmes.  These lines should not normally be premium rate or a means of purchasing tickets, though they may give details of telephone sales numbers.  Any exceptions must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.20)

17.3.12

Any proposal to accept a donated career or life-changing opportunity as a prize must be referred to Editorial Policy at an early stage.

(See 17.4.30)

17.3.13

Any proposal to run BBC public service mobile interactivity in which users of some mobile networks cannot take part must be referred to Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.44)

17.3.14

Any use of premium rate telephony on BBC commercial services must be referred in the first instance to the relevant editorial leader.

(See 17.4.17)

17.3.15

Any incident of suspected "grooming" online must be referred promptly to the CBBC Interactive Executive Management Team (or, for commercial services, to the relevant editorial leader).

(See 17.4.39)

The following referrals apply only to the BBC's publicly funded services and BBC Global News

17.3.16

Any proposal to offer a cash prize for a BBC public service game show must be referred to, and approved by, the relevant output controller.  Significant cash prizes must also be approved by Editorial Policy.

(See 17.4.11)

17.3.17

Any proposal to run a competition, vote or award using telephony must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) for technical, contracting and legal advice and to ensure that the relevant approval forms are completed and logged.

(See 17.4.16)

17.3.18

Any proposal to invite people to be part of a programme on BBC public services by ringing a contestant line must be referred to ITACU.

(See 17.4.19)