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.
Referrals to Director Editorial Policy and Standards
11.2.1 Any proposal to attend an event staged by proscribed organisations or groups known for mounting acts of terror, in order to be recorded, must be referred to a senior editorial figure or, for independent production companies, to the commissioning editor. Referral must also be made to Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.9)
11.2.2 Any proposal to broadcast material recorded at a staged event in the UK or overseas, where threats are made against UK citizens, must be referred to Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.10)
11.2.3 Any request from the police or others for a complete news black-out must be referred to a senior editorial figure, who must consult Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.18)
11.2.4 Any approach to or from the Secretary to the Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee [2] must be referred to Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.20)
11.2.5 Any situation where BBC staff or anyone else engaged in content production for the BBC may have obligations under the Terrorism Acts must be referred promptly to Director Editorial Policy and Standards and Programme Legal Advice.
(See 11.3.21)
11.2.6 Any proposal to approach an organisation (or an individual member of an organisation) designated a ‘terrorist group’ by the Home Secretary under the Terrorism Acts, and any proposal to approach individuals or organisations responsible for acts of terror, to participate in our output must be referred in advance to Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.21)
Other Referrals
11.2.7 Any proposal to broadcast material recorded at legitimate events when paramilitary or other groups with a known record of violence or intimidation stage an appearance must be referred to a senior editorial figure, or for independent production companies to the commissioning editor, who may consult Director Editorial Policy and Standards.
(See 11.3.11)
11.2.8 Any proposal to broadcast content made by perpetrators of a hijacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking or siege must be referred to a senior editorial figure or, for independent production companies, to the commissioning editor and should also be referred to Editorial Policy.
(See 11.3.17)
11.2.9 Any proposal to handle material relating to security and intelligence issues that falls, or might fall, within the terms of the Official Secrets Act must be referred to Programme Legal Advice.
(See 11.3.19)
11.2.10 Any proposal to travel to a country or area classified as a Hostile Environment or where a Travel Advisory applies must be referred to BBC Safety’s High Risk Team before departure.
(See 11.3.22)