Resonance FM (in London) got their wrists slapped by Ofcom for broadcasting a programme which showed its support for the Scottish independence campaign, on polling day. (It was actually a repeat of a programme which had been on two days previously, and the original broadcast was found to be in breach of due impartiality rules)
I understand that there isn't going to be a broadcast exit poll - so the BBC 21.55 start seems a relatively strange decision. There won't be a General Election style 22.00 'reveal'.
Resonance FM (in London) got their wrists slapped by Ofcom for broadcasting a programme which showed its support for the Scottish independence campaign, on polling day. (It was actually a repeat of a programme which had been on two days previously, and the original broadcast was found to be in breach of due impartiality rules)
STV Glasgow also got their 'wrists slapped' for repeating an edition of Scotland Tonight on polling day - they reported themselves, I presume to try and avoid any more serious action being taken by Ofcom
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-30098805
Yes, you can't say much at all on polling day other than generic statements like "The polls are open" , "The weather was fine in Whitby as people turned out to vote today". Nothing at all about the campaigns, arguments, views expressed etc can be reported.
It's slightly different this time of course, because MPs remain MPs and are not candidates seeking election or re-election.
Yes, you can't say much at all on polling day other than generic statements like "The polls are open" , "The weather was fine in Whitby as people turned out to vote today".
...and the obligatory footage of party leaders entering and exiting polling stations with their partners.
Yes, but that's for the news channels, not a referendum results programme, because the implications go way beyond that remit. Once the final declarations have been made, or the result is known, then we should round things up and end the programmes and if that means it ends at 9am on a Friday morning, then fair enough. The implications beyond the result, that's the territory of the news channels.
Admittedly, David Cameron's future after that result will be probably the biggest thing that weekend, with the Scottish question coming in a close second, but again, that's news channel territory, and not something the referendum results programme shouldn't be concerned about.
I think the broadcasters are preparing for the leave result to be the actual one, and if it isn't well, lots of filler programmes will probably come out of the woodwork.
I think you're really underestimating how big that decision is. If we leave, there will be huge ramifications. As the pound plummets, Cameron's under immense pressure, Sturgeon calls for another Scottish referendum and the stock markets go crazy, do you really expect to see Escape to the Country and Judge Rinder on the main channels?
Yes, yes I do expect to see them on the main channels. Because the stuff you're talking about is all post the referendum result. We'll know the result before the UK Stock Market opens at 8am, but honestly, if we vote to remain, there's no need to do the 1.45pm show on BBC2, and probably no need to do the 9am show on BBC1. ITV will probably be able to get away without doing the 9.25am roundup, though that would be preferable to Jeremy Kyle and the trash TV he produces. If we vote to leave, then you probably need that show on BBC2, and definitely need the BBC1 show.
I still think the scheduled BBC Two programme in the afternoon is silly, interrupting live tennis coverage while the usual daytime programmes are on BBC One. They'd be better continuing with the news on BBC One.
Yes, you can't say much at all on polling day other than generic statements like "The polls are open" , "The weather was fine in Whitby as people turned out to vote today".
...and the obligatory footage of party leaders entering and exiting polling stations with their partners.
or footage of the plane they've just crashed while flying a banner around. That must have been an awkward one to report on.
Yes, but that's for the news channels, not a referendum results programme, because the implications go way beyond that remit. Once the final declarations have been made, or the result is known, then we should round things up and end the programmes and if that means it ends at 9am on a Friday morning, then fair enough. The implications beyond the result, that's the territory of the news channels.
Admittedly, David Cameron's future after that result will be probably the biggest thing that weekend, with the Scottish question coming in a close second, but again, that's news channel territory, and not something the referendum results programme shouldn't be concerned about.
I think the broadcasters are preparing for the leave result to be the actual one, and if it isn't well, lots of filler programmes will probably come out of the woodwork.
I think you're really underestimating how big that decision is. If we leave, there will be huge ramifications. As the pound plummets, Cameron's under immense pressure, Sturgeon calls for another Scottish referendum and the stock markets go crazy, do you really expect to see Escape to the Country and Judge Rinder on the main channels?
Yes, yes I do expect to see them on the main channels. Because the stuff you're talking about is all post the referendum result. We'll know the result before the UK Stock Market opens at 8am, but honestly, if we vote to remain, there's no need to do the 1.45pm show on BBC2, and probably no need to do the 9am show on BBC1. ITV will probably be able to get away without doing the 9.25am roundup, though that would be preferable to Jeremy Kyle and the trash TV he produces. If we vote to leave, then you probably need that show on BBC2, and definitely need the BBC1 show.
If the vote is to leave, I expect that part of the coverage to move across from BBC Two to BBC One and go up to 6pm, with probable changes in peak time as well.
That certainly was the plan should there have been a leave vote in Scotland, can't imagine it'd be too different this time.
I understand that there isn't going to be a broadcast exit poll - so the BBC 21.55 start seems a relatively strange decision. There won't be a General Election style 22.00 'reveal'.
I would have thought there would have been a combined Exit Poll from ITV, Sky and BBC like General Election Night as this is a big thing.