Broadcasting Act 1990

109 Power to require scripts etc. or broadcasting of correction or apology

(1) If the Authority are satisfied that the holder of a licence granted under this Chapter has failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any direction given by the Authority under or by virtue of any provision of this Part, they may serve on him a notice—

(a) stating that the Authority are so satisfied as respects any specified condition or direction;

(b) stating the effect of subsection (2); and

(c) specifying for the purposes of that subsection a period not exceeding twelve months.

(2) If, at any time during the period specified in a notice under subsection (1), the Authority are satisfied that the licence holder has again failed to comply with any such condition or direction as is mentioned in that subsection (whether or not the same as the one specified in the notice), the Authority may direct him—

(a) to provide the Authority in advance with such scripts and particulars of the programmes to be included in the licensed service as are specified in the direction; and

(b) in relation to such of those programmes as will consist of or include recorded matter, to produce to the Authority in advance for examination or reproduction such recordings of that matter as are so specified;

and a direction under this subsection shall have effect for such period, not exceeding six months, as is specified in the direction.

(3) If the Authority are satisfied—

(a) that the holder of a licence has failed to comply with any condition of the licence, and

(b) that that failure can be appropriately remedied by the inclusion in the licensed service of a correction or apology (or both) under this subsection,

they may (subject to subsection (4)) direct the licence holder to include in the licensed service a correction or apology (or both) in such form, and at such time or times, as they may determine.

(4) The Authority shall not give any person a direction under subsection (3) unless they have given him a reasonable opportunity of making representations to the Authority about the matters complained of.

(5) Where the holder of a licence includes a correction or apology in the licensed service in pursuance of a direction under subsection (3), he may announce that he is doing so in pursuance of such a direction.