Ofcom examines the making of TV documentary

by Maisie McCabe, Media Week 04-Aug-08, 16:00

LONDON - Ofcom is looking into the making of the Government-funded ITV1 documentary, Beat: Life on the Street.

Under Ofcom regulations, sponsors are not allowed to have any editorial control, but, according to The Sunday Telegraph, the programme-makers allowed the Home Office to see a second edit of the programme and suggest changes in language and terminology.

Ofcom confirmed it was looking at the relationship between the sponsor and the broadcaster of Beat: Life on the Street, but could not say anything further at this stage.

According to reports, the programme about police community support offices received £800,000 from the Home Office over two series. A third has been commissioned.

Although sponsors should be clearly identified, critics claim the programme only briefly showed the Home Office logo before and after each episode.

It has been reported the Government spent £2m on eight television series or individual programmes in the past five years.