18.3.1 There may be occasions where providing accurate, impartial and fair coverage in the public interest involves possible conflict with the law. Where such cases arise we must consider:
- what effect breaking the law might have on the BBC
- what the effect might be on the people concerned
- internationally, the effect on the BBC’s future coverage of the region.
If during the course of making programmes or content, it is believed laws may be broken by someone working for the BBC, it must be referred to a senior editorial figure, or for independent production companies to the commissioning editor, who should normally consult Programme Legal Advice and, if necessary, Director Editorial Policy and Standards.