Does the PCC deal with complaints about audio-visual material?
Yes, the PCC can certainly deal with complaints about audio-visual (i.e. video) and audio (sound) material that appears on a publication’s website. The industry has issued a guidance note on the subject which gives full details of the extension of the PCC’s remit in this area. The same procedures for making a complaint apply as for traditional ‘text’ articles. Complaints need to be made within two months of the final publication of the material; they need to be specified under the terms of the Code; and the PCC would need to see a verifiable copy of the item under complaint. (This may be in the form of a transcript). As with all cases, we can help with making complaints relating to audio-visual material. If you are interested in seeing examples of complaints dealt with by the PCC about audio-visual material, you can use the advanced search facility on this site. Just select the ‘audio visual complaint?’ option towards the bottom of the page.
