Mandatory Referrals are part of the BBC’s editorial management system. They are an essential part of the process to ensure compliance and must be observed.
17.2.1 Votes on matters of public policy, political or industrial controversy or any other ‘controversial subject’ must be referred to Chief Adviser Politics.
(See 17.3.2)
17.2.2 Any proposal to run a competition or vote jointly with a third party must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU).
(See 17.3.5)
17.2.3 Any proposal to establish a BBC award must be referred to a senior editorial figure.
(See 17.3.8)
17.2.4 Any proposal to take sponsorship for a BBC award must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.9)
17.2.5 Any proposal to offer a substantial prize must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.13)
17.2.6 Any proposal to accept the donation of a substantial prize for a cross-BBC charity fundraising initiative must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.19)
17.2.7 Any Public Service-commissioned or BBC Global News competition or vote which involves audience interaction must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU). BBC Studios should consult ITACU and/or BBC Studios Regulatory Affairs.
(See 17.3.20)
17.2.8 All proposals to use paid-for interactivity on Public Services and Global News must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU) and Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.23)
17.2.9 Any use of paid-for interactivity on BBC Commercial Services other than Global News must be referred in the first instance to a senior editorial figure or, for independent production companies, to the commissioning editor.
(See 17.3.24)
17.2.10 Any proposal to use premium rate services to raise money for charity through any form of audience interaction must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU). Approval will also be required from a senior editorial figure.
(See 17.3.25)
17.2.11 Any proposal to use premium rate services aimed at children must be referred to Editorial Policy and the relevant director.
(See 17.3.25)
17.2.12 Any proposal to use text messaging for viewer, listener or online competitions or votes must be referred to Editorial Policy and the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU).
(See 17.3.26)
17.2.13 Any proposal to invite people to apply to be part of a programme by ringing a contestant line must be referred to the Interactivity Technical Advice and Contracts Unit (ITACU).
(See 17.3.27)
17.2.14 Any proposal to use a premium rate information line for events or performances being covered by BBC content, or to offer tickets for sale via such information lines must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.28)
17.2.15 Any proposal to offer a cash prize or a donated prize for a Public Service game show or quiz must be referred to, and approved by, the relevant output controller. Substantial cash prizes must be referred to the commissioning controller who must consult Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.36)
17.2.16 Substantial cash prizes for Commercial Services content that has not been commissioned by a Public Service must be referred to BBC Studios Regulatory Affairs.
(See 17.3.36)
17.2.17 Any proposal for the BBC to accept a donated career or life-changing opportunity for contestants or participants must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.38)
17.2.18 Any proposal not to pre-moderate online spaces for under-18s must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.46)
17.2.19 Any online safeguarding concerns about under-18s, whether related to online grooming or child abuse images must be referred to the Head of Safeguarding, Policy and Compliance [3] immediately.
(See 17.3.50)
17.2.20 Users of all mobile networks should normally be able to take part in any Public Service mobile interactivity. Proposed exceptions must be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 17.3.57)
[3] See Working with Children advisers site: available on Gateway for BBC staff or via commissioning editors for independent producers.