Written question asked by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Friday, 17 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 April 2009. It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Thursday, 23 April 2009 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Television: Sponsorship

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) guidance has been issued and (b) rules are applied by Ofcom on the sponsorship of television programmes by (i) Government bodies and (ii) charities.

Answer: The rules that apply to programmes sponsored by Government bodies and charities are derived from the requirements of European legislation, the Television Without Frontiers (TWF) Directive, and from the Communications Act 2003. Based on this legislative framework, section 9 of the Ofcom broadcasting code sets out the rules on programme sponsorship with which broadcasters must comply. Ofcom also produces broadcast code guidance to help broadcasters interpret and apply the broadcasting code.

Secondary information