Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Ofcom definition

What does Ofcom mean? Ofcom is the UK communications and media regulator that practitioners deal with on broadcasting, telecoms, spectrum, postal and online safety compliance and enforcement. It was created by the Office of communications act 2002, with core functions and duties in the Communications Act 2003; related powers arise under, for example, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, Postal Services Act 2011 and Online Safety Act 2023. Key features include: setting and enforcing content standards via the Ofcom broadcasting code (television and radio) and the fairness and privacy regime; regulation of on‑demand programme services and video‑sharing platforms; licensing and sanctions for TV and...

UK media and online content regulation: broadcasting, press, advertising, film, VoD, VSPs and social media; Ofcom, IPSO, ASA, BBFC; Media Act 2024 and Online Safety Act 2023

Published by a LexisNexis TMT expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note provides an overview of media content regulation in the UK.

The primary media regulators are:

Broadcasting (television and radio) — Ofcom
Press and magazines — Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Advertising — Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
Cinema and video — British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
Video on demand (VoD) — Ofcom
Video-sharing platforms (VSPs) — Ofcom
Social media platforms and search engines — Ofcom

Broadcasting

Ofcom oversees television and radio programme content by setting and enforcing codes that broadcasters must comply with. The key code for editorial standards is the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (OBC). Broadcast advertising content is handled by the ASA—see Advertising below.

In November 2025, Ofcom sought input on reforming broadcast regulation, inviting views on updates in three broad areas:

licensing
advertising (with an emphasis on the volume permitted on particular services, rather than advertising content)
content standards

See: LNB News 20/11/2025 42. While this Practice Note reflects the rules currently in force, it is possible that new requirements covering these topics may follow in due course...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Samuel Rowe

5RB

Sam is a barrister at 5RB Chambers. He accepts instructions across all areas of Chambers’ practice, including defamation, privacy, data protection and information law, and harassment. Sam has a particular interest in the application of the law to emerging technologies. Prior to joining 5RB, Sam was a researcher and co-author of the Independent Review of the Governance of Biometric Data (The Ryder Review), commissioned by the Ada Lovelace Institute, which focused on the legal framework for the processing and governance of biometric data in England and Wales. He also worked in the legal and policy team at a rapidly-growing digital identity company, advising on legal and policy issues, as well as representing the company to policymakers and lawmakers. ...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...