TELEVISION THE CODE - American Radio History
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE
TELEVISION
CODE
ENTERTAI NM
EDUCATION
CULTURE
I N FORMATION
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTERS
1771 N STREET, N. W., WASHINGTON 6, D. C.I THE FRONT COVER Effective March 1, 1952, Television sta- tions subscribing to this Code, and in good standing, may display the "Seal of Good Practice." The official, copyrighted re- production appears on the Front Cover.
THE
TELEVISION
CODE
of
The National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters
EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 1952
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTERS
1771 N Street, N.W., Washington 6, D. C. Telephone DEcatur 9300Second Printing-January, 1952
Copyright, 1952, National Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters
Additional copies available at fifteen cents per copy by writing to
NARTB-TV, 1771 N Street, N.W.
Washington 6, D. C.TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE 1
ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE 1
ACCEPTABILITY OF PROGRAM MATERIAL 2
RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD CHILDREN 3
DECENCY AND DECORUM IN PRODUCTION 3
COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY 3
TREATMENT OF NEWS AND PUBLIC EVENTS 4
CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC ISSUES 4
POLITICAL TELECASTS 4
RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS 4
PRESENTATION OF ADVERTISING 5
ACCEPTABILITY OF ADVERTISERS AND PRODUCTS -GENERAL 5
ADVERTISING OF MEDICAL PRODUCTS 6
CONTESTS 6
PREMIUMS AND OFFERS 6
TIME STANDARDS FOR ADVERTISING COPY 7
DRAMATIZED APPEALS AND ADVERTISING 7
SPONSOR IDENTIFICATION 8
REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES 8
NAME 8
PURPOSE OF THE CODE 8
SUBSCRIBERS 8
RATES 9
THE TELEVISION CODE REVIEW BOARD 9IL 1 II_ 1111
THE TELEVISION CODE
OF THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTERS
Preamble In order that television programming may best
serve the public interest, viewers should be en-
Television is seen and heard in every type of couraged to make their criticisms and positive
American home. These homes include children suggestions known to the television broadcasters.
and adults of all ages, embrace all races and all Parents in particular should be urged to see to it
varieties of religious faith, and reach those of that out of the richness of television fare, the best
every educational background. It is the responsi- programs are brought to the attention of their
bility of television to bear constantly in mind that children.
the audience is primarily a home audience, and
consequently that television's relationship to the
viewers is that between guest and host. Advancement o f Education and Culture
The revenues from advertising support the free, 1. Commercial television provides a valuable
competitive American system of telecasting, and means of augmenting the educational and
make available to the eyes and ears of the Ameri- cultural influences of schools, institutions of
can people the finest programs of information, higher learning, the home, the church, mu-
education, culture and entertainment. By law the seums, foundations, and other institutions
television broadcaster is responsible for the pro- devoted to education and culture.
gramming of his station. He, however, is obli- 2. It is the responsibility of a television broad-
gated to bring his positive responsibility for ex- caster to call upon such institutions for coun-
cellence and good taste in programming to bear sel and cooperation and to work with them
upon all who have a hand in the production of on the best methods of presenting educa-
programs, including networks, sponsors, pro- tional and cultural materials by television.
ducers of film and of live programs, advertising It is further the responsibility of stations,
agencies, and talent agencies. networks, advertising agencies and sponsors
The American businesses which utilize televi- consciously to seek opportunities for intro-
sion for conveying their advertising messages to ducing into telecasts factual materials which
the home by pictures with sound, seen free -of - will aid in the enlightenment of the American
charge on the home screen, are reminded that public.
their responsibilities are not limited to the sale 3. Education via television may be taken to
of goods and the creation of a favorable attitude mean that process by which the individual is
toward the sponsor by the presentation of enter- brought toward informed adjustment to his
tainment. They include, as well, responsibility society. Television is also responsible for the
for utilizing television to bring the best programs, presentation of overtly instructional and cul-
regardless of kind, into American homes. tural programs, scheduled so as to reach the
Television, and all who participate in it are viewers who are naturally drawn to such pro-
jointly accountable to the American public for grams, and produced so as to attract the
respect for the special needs of children, for com- largest possible audience.
munity responsibility, for the advancement of 4. In furthering this realization, the television
education and culture, for the acceptability of the broadcaster:
program materials chosen, for decency and de- a) Should be thoroughly conversant with
corum in production, and for propriety in adver- the educational and cultural needs and
tising. This responsibility cannot be discharged desires of the community served.
by any given group of programs, but can be dis- b) Should affirmatively seek out responsi-
charged only through the highest standards of ble and accountable educational and
respect for the American home, applied to every cultural institutions of the community
moment of every program presented by television. with a view toward providing oppor-
1tunities for the instruction and en- f) Sex crimes and abnormalities are gen-
lightenment of the viewers. erally unacceptable as program ma-
c) Should provide for reasonable experi- terial.
mentation in the development of pro- g) Drunkenness and narcotic addiction
grams specifically directed to the ad- are never presented as desirable or
vancement of the community's culture prevalent.
and education.
h) The administration of illegal drugs will
not be displayed.
Acceptability of Program Material
i) The use of liquor in program content
Program materials should enlarge the horizons shall be de-emphasized. The consump-
of the viewer, provide him with wholesome enter- tion of liquor in American life, when
tainment, afford helpful stimulation, and remind not required by the plot or for proper
him of the responsibilities which the citizen has characterization, shall not be shown.
towards his society. Furthermore :
j) The use of gambling devices or scenes
a) (i) Profanity, obscenity, smut and vulgar- necessary to the development of plot
ity are forbidden, even when likely to or as appropriate background is accept-
be understood only by part of the audi- able only when presented with discre-
ence. From time to time, words which tion and in moderation, and in
have been acceptable, acquire undesir- a
able meanings, and telecasters should manner which would not excite interest
be alert to eliminate such words. in, or foster, betting nor be instruc-
tional in nature. Telecasts of actual
(ii) The Television Code Review Board (see sport programs at which on -the -scene
V, Section 3, page 9) shall maintain betting is permitted by law should be
and issue to subscribers, from time to presented in a manner in keeping with
time, a continuing list of specific words Federal, state and local laws, and
and phrases which should not be used should concentrate on the subject as a
in keeping with this subsection. This public sporting event.
list, however, shall not be considered as
all-inclusive. k) In reference to physical or mental afflic-
b) (i) Attacks on religion and religious faiths tions and deformities, special precau-
are not allowed. tions must be taken to avoid ridiculing
(ii) Reverence is to mark any mention of sufferers from similar ailments and
the name of God, His attributes and offending them or members of their
powers. families.
(iii) When religious rites are included in 1) Exhibitions of fortune-telling, astrol-
other than religious programs, the ogy, phrenology, palm -reading, and
rites are accurately presented, and the numerology are acceptable only when
ministers, priests and rabbis portrayed required by a plot or the theme of a
in their callings are vested with the program, and then the presentation
dignity of their office and under no should be developed in a manner de-
circumstances are to be held up to signed not to foster superstition or
ridicule. excite interest or belief in these sub-
c) (i) Contests may not constitute a lottery. jects.
(ii) Any telecasting designed to "buy" the m) Televised drama shall not simulate
television audience by requiring it to news or special events in such a way as
listen and/or view in hope of reward, to mislead or alarm. (see News, page
rather than for the quality of the pro- 4.)
gram, should be avoided. (see Con-
tests, page 6.) n) Legal, medical and other professional
d) Respect is maintained for the sanctity advice, diagnosis and treatment will be
of marriage and the value of the home. permitted only in conformity with law
Divorce is not treated casually nor jus- and recognized ethical and professional
tified as a solution for marital prob- standards.
lems. o) The presentation of cruelty, greed and
e) Illicit sex relations are not treated as selfishness as worthy motivations is to
commendable. be avoided.
2p) Unfair exploitation of others for per- terials, page 2.) Television is responsible
sonal gain shall not be presented as for insuring that programs of all sorts which
praiseworthy. occur during the times of day when children
may normally be expected to have the oppor-
q) Criminality shall be presented as un- tunity of viewing television shall exercise
desirable and unsympathetic. The con- care in the following regards :
doning of crime and the treatment of
the commission of crime in a frivolous, a) In affording opportunities for cultural
cynical or callous manner is unaccept- growth as well as for wholesome en-
able. tertainment.
r) The presentation of techniques of b) In developing programs to foster and
crime in such detail as to invite imita- promote the commonly accepted moral,
tion shall be avoided. social and ethical ideals characteristic
of American life.
s) The use of horror for its own sake will
be eliminated ; the use of visual or c) In reflecting respect for parents, for
aural effects which would shock or honorable behavior, and for the con-
alarm the viewer, and the detailed pres- stituted authorities of the American
entation of brutality or physical agony community.
by sight or by sound are not permis- d) In eliminating reference to kidnapping
sible. of children or threats of kidnapping.
t) Law enforcement shall be upheld, and e) In avoiding material which is exces-
the officers of the law are to be por- sively violent or would create morbid
trayed with respect and dignity. suspense, or other undesirable reactions
u) The presentation of murder or revenge in children.
as a motive for murder shall not he pre- f) In exercising particular restraint and
sented as justifiable. care in crime or mystery episodes in-
v) Suicide as an acceptable solution for volving children or minors.
human problems is prohibited.
w) The exposition of sex crimes will be Decency and Decorum in Production
avoided. 1. The costuming of all performers shall be
x) The appearances or dramatization of within the bounds of propriety, and shall
persons featured in actual crime news avoid such exposure or such emphasis on
will be permitted only in such light as anatomical detail as would embarrass or
to aid law enforcement or to report the offend home viewers.
news event. 2. The movements of dancers, actors, or other
performers shall be kept within the bounds
Responsibility Toward Children of decency, and lewdness and impropriety
shall not be suggested in the positions as-
1. The education of children involves giving sumed by performers.
them a sense of the world at large. Crime, 3. Camera angles shall avoid such views of
violence and sex are a part of the world they performers as to emphasize anatomical de-
will be called upon to meet, and a certain tails indecently.
amount of proper presentation of such is 4. Racial or nationality types shall not be shown
helpful in orienting the child to his social on television in such a manner as to ridicule
surroundings. However, violence and illicit the race or nationality.
sex shall not be presented in an attractive 5. The use of locations closely associated with
manner, nor to an extent such as will lead a sexual life or with sexual sin must be gov-
child to believe that they play a greater part erned by good taste and delicacy.
in life than they do. They should not be pre-
sented without indications of the resultant
retribution and punishment. Community Responsibility
2. It is not enough that only those programs A television broadcaster and his staff occupy a
which are intended for viewing by children position of responsibility in the community and
shall be suitable to the young and immature. should conscientiously endeavor to be acquainted
(Attention is called to the general items fully with its needs and characteristics in order
listed under Acceptability of Program Ma -- better to serve the welfare of its citizens.
3Treatment of News and Public Events sonant with the ends of an informed and
enlightened citizenry.
News
2. Because of the nature of events open to the
1. A television station's news schedule should public, the treatment of such events by a
be adequate and well-balanced. television broadcaster should be effected in
2. News reporting should be factual, fair and a manner to provide for adequate and in-
without bias. formed coverage as well as good taste in
3. Commentary and analysis should be clearly presentation.
identified as such.
4. Good taste should prevail in the selection and Controversial Public Issues
handling of news :
Morbid, sensational or alarming details 1. Television provides a valuable forum for the
not essential to the factual report, especially expression of responsible views on public is-
in connection with stories of crime or sex, sues of a controversial nature. In keeping
should be avoided. News should be telecast therewith the television broadcaster should
in such a manner as to avoid panic and un- seek out and develop with accountable indi-
necessary alarm. viduals, groups and organizations, programs
5. At all times, pictorial and verbal material for relating to controversial public issues of
both news and comment should conform to import to its fellow citizens; and to give fair
other sections of these standards, wherever representation to opposing sides of issues
such sections are reasonably applicable. which materially affect the life or welfare of
a substantial segment of the public.
6. Pictorial material should be chosen with care
and not presented in a misleading manner. 2. The provision of time for this purpose should
7. A television broadcaster should exercise due be guided by the following principles:
care in his supervision of content, format, a) Requests by individuals, groups or or-
and presentation of newscasts originated by ganizations for time to discuss their
his station, and in his selection of newscast- views on controversial public issues,
ers, commentators, and analysts. should be considered on the basis of
8. A television broadcaster should exercise par- their individual merits, and in the
ticular discrimination in the acceptance, light of the contribution which the
placement and presentation of advertising in use requested would make to the public
news programs so that such advertising interest, and to a well-balanced pro-
should be clearly distinguishable from the gram structure.
news content. b) Programs devoted to the discussion of
9. A television broadcaster should not present controversial public issues should be
fictional events or other non -news material identified as such, and should not be
as authentic news telecasts or announcements presented in a manner which would
nor should he permit dramatizations in any mislead listeners or viewers to believe
program which would give the false impres- that the program is purely of an en-
sion that the dramatized material constitutes tertainment, news, or other character.
news. Expletives, (presented aurally or pic-
torially) such as "flash" or "bulletin" and Political Telecasts
statements such as "we interrupt this pro-
gram to bring you . . ." should be reserved Political telecasts should be clearly identified
specifically for news room use. However, a as such, and should not be presented by a tele-
television broadcaster may properly exercise vision broadcaster in a manner which would mis-
discretion in the use in non -news programs lead listeners or viewers to believe that the
of words or phrases which do not necessarily program is of any other character.
imply that the material following is a news
release. Religious Programs
Public Events 1. It is the responsibility of a television broad-
caster to make available to the community
1. A television broadcaster has an affirmative as part of a well-balanced program schedule
responsibility at all times to be informed of adequate opportunity for religious presenta-
public events, and to provide coverage con - tions.
42. The following principles should be followed should be announced and clearly iden-
in the treatment of such programs : tified before the sponsor's advertising
a) Telecasting which reaches men of all material is first used, and should be
creeds simultaneously should avoid at- signed off after the sponsor's advertis-
tacks upon religion. ing material is last used.
b) Religious programs should be presented c) Advertising copy should contain no
respectfully and accurately and with- claims intended to disparage competi-
out prejudice or ridicule. tors, competing products, or other in-
dustries, professions or institutions.
c) Religious programs should be presented
by responsible individuals, groups, and d) Since advertising by television is a
organizations. dynamic technique, a television broad-
caster should keep under surveillance
d) Religious programs should place em- new advertising devices so that the
phasis on broad religious truths, ex- spirit and purpose of these standards
cluding the presentation of controver- are fulfilled.
sial or partisan views not directly or e) Television broadcasters should exer-
necessarily related to religion or moral- cise the utmost care and discrimination
ity.
with regard to advertising material,
3. In the allocation of time for telecasts of re- including content, placement and pres-
ligious programs it is recommended that the entation, near or adjacent to programs
television station use its best efforts to appor- designed for children. No considera-
tion such time fairly among the representa- tions of expediency should be permitted
tive faith groups of its community. to impinge upon the vital responsibility
towards children and adolescents,
Presentation of Advertising which is inherent in television, and
which must be recognized and accepted
1. Ever mindful of the role of television as a by all advertisers employing television.
guest in the home, a television broadcaster f) Television advertisers should be en-
should exercise unceasing care to supervise couraged to devote portions of their
the form in which advertising material is allotted advertising messages and pro-
presented over his facilities. Since television gram time to the support of worthy
is a developing medium, involving methods causes in the public interest in keeping
and techniques distinct from those of radio, with the highest ideals of the free com-
it may be desirable from time to time to re- petitive system.
view and revise the presently suggested g) A charge for television time to
practices :
churches and religious bodies is not
a) Advertising messages should be pre- recommended.
sented with courtesy and good taste;
disturbing or annoying material should
be avoided ; every effort should be made Acceptability of Advertisers
to keep the advertising message in and Products-General
harmony with the content and general 1. A commercial television broadcaster makes
tone of the program in which it ap- his facilities available for the advertising of
pears. products and services and accepts commer-
b) A sponsor's advertising messages cial presentations for such advertising. How-
should be confined within the frame- ever, a television broadcaster should, in
work of the sponsor's program struc- recognition of his responsibility to the public,
ture. A television broadcaster should refuse the facilities of his station to an
seek to avoid the use of commercial an- advertiser where he has good reason to doubt
nouncements which are divorced from the integrity of the advertiser, the truth of
the program either by preceding the the advertising representations, or the com-
introduction of the program (as in the pliance of the advertiser with the spirit and
case of so-called "cow -catcher" an- purpose of all applicable legal requirements.
nouncements) or by following the ap- Moreover, in consideration of the laws and
parent sign -off of the program (as in customs of the communities served, each
the case of so-called "trailer" announce- television broadcaster should refuse his fa-
ments). To this end, the program itself cilities to the advertisement of products and
5services, or the use of advertising scripts, uct for purposes of publicizing the brand
which the station has good reason to believe name or other identification of a product
would be objectionable to a substantial and which is not acceptable.
responsible segment of the community. The
foregoing principles should be applied with Advertising of Medical Products
judgment and flexibility, taking into con- 1. The advertising of medical products presents
sideration the characteristics of the medium considerations of intimate and far-reaching
and the form and content of the particular importance to the consumer, and the follow-
presentation. In general, because television ing principles and procedures should apply
broadcast is designed for the home and the in the advertising thereof :
family, including children, the following prin-
ciples should govern the business classifica- a) A television broadcaster should not ac-
tions listed below : cept advertising material which in his
opinion offensively describes or drama-
a) The advertising of hard liquor should tizes distress or morbid situations
not be accepted. involving ailments, by spoken word,
b) The advertising of beer and wines is sound or visual effects.
acceptable only when presented in the b) Because of the personal nature of the
best of good taste and discretion, and advertising of medical products, claims
is acceptable subject to Federal and that a product will effect a cure and the
local laws. indiscriminate use of such words as
c) Advertising by institutions or enter- "safe", "without risk", "harmless", or
prises which in their offers of instruc- terms of similar meaning should not be
tion imply promises of employment or accepted in the advertising of medical
make exaggerated claims for the oppor- products on television stations.
tunities awaiting those who enroll for
courses is generally unacceptable. Contests
d) The advertising of firearms and fire- 1. Contests should offer the opportunity to all
works is acceptable only subject to contestants to win on the basis of ability and
Federal and local laws. skill, rather than chance.
e) The advertising of fortune-telling, 2. All contest details, including rules, eligibility
occultism, spiritualism, a s t r o 1 o g y, requirements, opening and termination dates
phrenology, palm -reading, numerology, should be clearly and completely announced
mind -reading or character -reading is and/or shown, or easily accessible to the
not acceptable. viewing public, and the winners' names
f) Because all products of a personal na- should be released and prizes awarded as
ture create special problems, such prod- soon as possible after the close of the con-
ucts, when accepted, should be treated test.
with especial emphasis on ethics and 3. When advertising is accepted which requests
the canons of good taste; however, the contestants to submit items of product iden-
advertising of intimately personal tification or other evidence of purchase of
products which are generally regarded product, reasonable facsimiles thereof should
as unsuitable conversational topics in be made acceptable.
mixed social groups is not acceptable. 4. All copy pertaining to any contest (except
g) The advertising of tip sheets, race that which is required by law) associated
track publications, or organizations with the exploitation or sale of the sponsor's
seeking to advertise for the purpose of product or service, and all references to
giving odds or promoting betting or prizes or gifts offered in such connection
lotteries is unacceptable. should be considered a part of and included
2. Diligence should be exercised to the end that in the total time allowances as herein pro-
advertising copy accepted for telecasting vided. (see Time Standards for Advertising
complies with pertinent Federal, state and Copy, page 7.)
local laws.
3. An advertiser who markets more than one Premiums and Offers
product should not be permitted to use ad- 1. Full details of proposed offers should be re-
vertising copy devoted to an acceptable prod - quired by the television broadcaster for
6investigation and approval before the first should be scheduled within a 15 -minute pe-
announcement of the offer is made to the riod and not more than six such announce-
public. ments should be scheduled within a 30 -minute
2. A final date for the termination of an offer period in local announcement programs ;
should be announced as far in advance as however, fewer announcements of greater
possible. individual length may be scheduled, provided
that the aggregate length of the announce-
3. Before accepting for telecast offers involving ments approximates three minutes in a 15 -
a monetary consideration, a television broad- minute program or six minutes in a 30 -minute
caster should satisfy himself as to the in- program. In announcement programs other
tegrity of the advertiser and the advertiser's than 15 minutes or 30 minutes in length, the
willingness to honor complaints indicating proportion of one minute of announcement
dissatisfaction with the premium by return- within every five minutes of programming
ing the monetary consideration. is normally applied. The announcements
4. There should be no misleading descriptions must be presented within the framework of
or visual representations of any premiums the program period designated for their use
or gifts which would distort or enlarge their and kept in harmony with the content of the
value in the minds of the listeners. program in which they are placed.
5. Assurances should be obtained from the ad- 4. Programs presenting women's services, fea-
vertiser that premiums offered are not harm- tures, shopping guides, market information,
ful to person or property. and similar material, provide a special serv-
6. Premiums should not be approved which ice to the listening and viewing public in
appeal to superstition on the basis of "luck - which advertising material is an informative
bearing" powers or otherwise. and integral part of the program content.
Because of these special characteristics the
time standards set forth above may be
Time Standards for Advertising Copy waived to a reasonable extent. In the present
state of experimentation in programming
1. As a guide to the determination of good and advertising techniques in television pro-
telecast advertising practice, the time stand- grams of this type no definite limitations to
ards for advertising copy, presently sug- these exceptions are set forth at this time.
gested, are as follows :
5. Any casual reference in a program to an -
Length of Avertising Message other's product or service under any trade
(minutes and seconds)
Length of name or language sufficiently descriptive to
Program News Programs All Other Programs identify it should, except for normal guest
(minutes) Day and Night Class "A" Time All Other Hrs. identifications, be condemned and discour-
5 1:00 1:00 1:15 aged.
10 1:45 2 :00 2:10
15 2 :15 2 :30 3 :00 6. Stationary backdrops or properties in tele-
25 2 :50 4:00 vision presentations showing the sponsor's
30 3:00 4 :15 name or product, the name of his product,
45 4 :30 5 :45 his trade mark or slogan may be used only
60 6 :00 7 :00 incidentally. They should not obtrude on
program interest or entertainment. "On
2. The time standards set forth above do not Camera" shots of such materials should be
affect the established practice of reserving fleeting, not too frequent, and mindful of the
for station use the last 30 seconds of each need of maintaining a proper program bal-
program for station break and spot an- ance.
nouncements.
3. Announcement programs are designed to ac- Dramatized Appeals and Advertising
commodate a designated number of indi-
vidual live or recorded announcements, Appeals to help fictitious characters in television
generally one minute in length, which are programs by purchasing the advertiser's product
carried within the body of the program and or service or sending for a premium should not be
are available for sale to individual advertis- permitted, and such fictitious characters should
ers. Normally not more than 3 one -minute not be introduced Into the advertising message
announcements (which should not exceed for such purposes. When dramatized advertising
approximately 125 words if presented live) material involves statements by doctors, dentists,
7nurses or other professional people, the material to the extent of one subscription for each such
should be presented by members of such profes- station and/or network which it operates or for
sion reciting actual experience or it should be which it holds a construction permit; provided,
made apparent from the presentation itself that that a non television member of NARTB shall not
the portrayal is dramatized. become eligible via code subscription to receive
any of the member services or to exercise any of
Sponsor Identification the voting privileges of a member.
Identification of sponsorship must be made in Section 2. CERTIFICATION OF SUBSCRIPTION
all sponsored programs in accordance with the
requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, Upon subscribing to the Code, subject to the
as amended, and the Rules and Regulations of the approval of the Television Board of Directors,
Federal Communications Commission. there shall be granted forthwith to each such
subscribing station authority to use the "NARTB
Television Seal of Good Practice," a copyrighted
REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES and registered seal to be provided in the form of a
The following REGULATIONS AND PRO- certificate, a slide and/or a film, signifying that
CEDURES shall obtain as an integral part of the the recipient thereof is a subscriber in good stand-
Television Code of the National Association of ing to the Television Code of the NARTB. The
Radio and Television Broadcasters : seal and its significance shall be appropriately
publicized by the NARTB.
I Section 3. DURATION OF SUBSCRIPTION
Name Subscription shall continue in full force and
The name of this Code shall be The Television effect until thirty days after the first of the month
Code of the National Association of Radio and following receipt of notice of written resignation.
Television Broadcasters.* Subscription to the Code shall be effective from
the date of application subject to the approval of
II the Television Board of Directors ; provided, that
the subscription of a television station going on
Purpose of the Code the air for the first time shall, for the first six
months of such subscription, be probationary, dur-
The purpose of this Code is cooperatively to ing which time its subscription can be summarily
maintain a level of television programming which revoked by an affirmative two-thirds vote of the
gives full consideration to the educational, infor- Television Board of Directors without the usual
mational, cultural, economic, moral and entertain- processes specified below.
ment needs of the American public to the end
that more and more people will be better served.
Section 4. SUSPENSION OF SUBSCRIPTION
III Any subscription, and/or the authority to utilize
and show the above -noted seal, may be voided,
Subscribers revoked or temporarily suspended for television
Section 1. ELIGIBILITY programming, including commercial copy, which,
by theme, treatment or incident, in the judgment
Any individual, firm or corporation which is of the Television Board constitutes a continuing,
engaged in the operation of a television broadcast willful or gross violation of any of the provisions
station or network, or which holds a construction of the Television Code, by an affirmative two-
permit for a television broadcast station within thirds vote of the Television Board of Directors
the United States or its dependencies, shall, sub- at a regular or special meeting ; provided, how-
ject to the approval of the Television Board of ever, that the following conditions precedent shall
Directors as hereinafter provided, be eligible to apply: (1) The subscriber shall be advised in writ-
subscribe to the Television Code of the NARTB
ing by Registered Mail of the charges preferred;
"Television Board. The Television Board is hereby (2) Such subscriber shall have a right to a hearing
authorized:-(4) to enact, amend and promulgate stand- and may exercise same by filing an answer within
ards of practice or codes for its Television members, and 10 days of the date of such notification; (3) Fail-
to establish such methods to secure observance thereof as
it may deem advisable;-". By -Laws of the National ure to request a hearing shall be deemed a waiver
Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters, Article of the subscriber's right thereto; (4) If hearing
VII, section 2,B.(4).
8is requested by the subscriber, it shall be desig- IV
nated as promptly as possible and at such time
and place as the Television Board may specify. Rates
Oral and written evidence may be introduced by Each subscriber shall pay 'administrative' rates
the subscriber and by the Television Code Review in accordance with such schedule, at such time,
Board (hereinafter provided for). Oral argument and under such conditions as may be determined
may be had at the hearing and written memo- from time to time by the Television Board (see
randa or briefs may be submitted by the sub- Article VII, section 2,B. (3) and (4), By -Laws of
scriber and by the Television Code Review Board. the NARTB); provided, that appropriate credit
The Television Board of Directors may admit such shall be afforded to a television member of the
evidence as it deems relevant, material, and com- NARTB against the regular dues which he or it
petent and may determine the nature and length pays to NARTB-TV.
of the oral argument and the written argument or
briefs to be submitted. The Television Board of
Directors shall decide the case as expeditiously as V
possible and shall notify the subscriber and the
Television Code Review Board in writing of the The Television Code Review Board
decision.
Section 1. COMPOSITION
The Television Board of Directors shall estab-
Section 5. ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES lish a continuing committee entitled The Tele-
The Television Board of Directors shall, from vision Code Review Board, upon the promulgation
time to time, establish such additional rules of of the Television Code. The Review Board shall
procedure as, in its opinion, may be necessary for be composed of five members, all of whom shall
the proper administration of the Code ; provided, be from the Television membership of NARTB.
that special consideration shall be given to the Members of the Television Board of Directors
procedures for receipt and processing of com- shall not be eligible to serve on the above specified
plaints and to necessary rules to be adopted from Review Board. Members of the Review Board
time to time, taking into account the source and shall be appointed by the President of the
nature of such complaints ; such rules to include NARTB, subject to confirmation by the Television
precautionary measures such as the posting of Board of Directors. Due consideration shall be
bonds to cover costs and expenses of processing given, in making such appointments, to factors of
same; and further provided, that the Board of diversification of geographical location, company
Directors shall take the steps necessary to insure representation and network affiliation. Those
the confidential status of any proceedings before members appointed, following promulgation of
it. the Code, shall serve until immediately following
the annual NARTB Convention of 1952. There-
after a term shall be for one year.
Section 6. AMENDMENT AND REVIEW
Because of the new and dynamic aspects in- A. Limitation of Service
herent in television broadcast, the Television Code,
as a living, flexible and continuing document, may A person shall not serve consecutively as a
be amended from time to time by the Television member of the Review Board for more than two
Board of Directors ; provided that said Board is years.
specifically charged with review and reconsidera-
tion of the entire Code, its appendices and pro- Section 2. QUORUM
cedures, at least once each year. A majority of the membership of the Television
Code Review Board shall constitute a quorum for
Section 7. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS all purposes unless herein otherwise provided.
All subscribers on the air at the time of sub-
scription to the Code shall be permitted that Section 3. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES
period prior to and including the earliest legal
cancellation date to terminate any contracts, then The Television Code Review Board is author-
outstanding, calling for program presentations ized and directed :
which would not be in conformity with the Tele- (1) To maintain a continuing review of all tele-
vision Code, provided, however, that in no event vision programming, especially that of subscribers
shall such period be longer than fifty-two weeks. to the Television Code of the NARTB; (2) to
9receive, screen and clear complaints concerning concerning violations and breaches of the Tele-
television programming; (3) to define and inter- vision Code by a subscriber; (8) to recommend
pret words and phrases in the Television Code; to the Television Board of Directors, amendments
(4) to develop and maintain appropriate liaison to the Television Code.
with governmental agencies and with responsible
and accountable organizations and institutions;
(5) to inform, expeditiously and properly, a sub- A. Delegation of Powers and Responsibilities
scriber to the Television Code of complaints or The Television Code Review Board may dele-
commendations, as well as to advise all subscrib- gate, from time to time, such of its above -specified
ers concerning the attitude and desires program - responsibilities, as it may deem necessary and
wise of accountable organizations and institutions, desirable, to a Staff Group of the NARTB-TV.
and of the American public in general; (6) to
review and monitor, if necessary, any certain B. Meetings
series of programs, daily programming, or any
other program presentations of a subscriber, as The Television Code Review Board shall meet
well as to request recordings, aural or kinescope, regularly at least four times a year at a date to be
or script and copy, with regard to any certain determined by it in the months of January, March,
program presented by a subscriber; (7) to reach June and September. The chairman of the Re-
conclusions, and to make recommendations or pre- view Board may at any time on at least five days'
fer charges to the Television Board of Directors written notice call a special meeting of the Board.
Cs
101 a
J
You can also read
