Section 29: Standards and ethics

29. Standards and ethics (1) The Authority shall set up a Standards Committee. (2) The Standards Committee shall consist of— (a) a Chairperson; and (b) 6 persons who shall not be members of the Authority. (3) The Chairperson and members of the Standards Committee shall be appointed by the Authority on such terms and conditions as it may determine. (4) The Standards Committee shall, with the approval of the Authority, draw up a code of ethics for licensees. (5) The Standards Committee shall, with the approval of the Authority, draw up a code of advertising practice. I6 – 13 [Issue 7] Independent Broadcasting Authority Act (6) The code of ethics specified in subsection (4) shall give guidance as to— (a) the technical standards required in the preparation, production and presentation of broadcast programmes, including the need of subtitling for the benefit of the deaf, where applicable; (b) the standards and practice in advertising and in the sponsorship of programmes, including the absence of discrimination; (c) the promotion of locally produced programmes; (d) the optimisation of air-time occupancy; and (e) standards of taste and decency for broadcast programmes, particularly having regard to the portrayal of violence or sexual conduct. (7) The Standards Committee may review the code from time to time. (8) When drawing up or reviewing the code, the Standards Committee shall consult— (a) every licensee; and (b) a spectrum of listeners and viewers. (9) The Standards Committee shall conduct audience research in such manner and at such times as the Authority may determine. (10) The Standards Committee shall, in the light of research effected under subsection (8), make periodical reports to the Authority on the standards attained by every licensee.