Abstract

To transform an individual pain into a collective feeling of suffering is a capacity of all mass media. However, television has, in this point, a tremendous power. The capacity to join millions of TV viewers in front of itself is its most admirable merit, but it’s also its most dreadful danger. Principally when the point are the human rights, as the right of privacy or the right of not suffer in the public space, the demand of quality appears not only as an obligation of the Government but also as a duty of citizenship of all TV viewers. Although it is not properly a novelty in some European countries, the existence of a TV Ombudsman2 will be a reality in Portugal only this year. The Government has approved a legal diploma to create this figure, which will evaluate the programming and information of the public channel RTP. As the ombudsmen of press that we already know, the TV Ombudsman will be the person who receives the critics and observations of TV viewers, evaluates them and writes about them an impression to the administration of the channel. Being a self-regulatory proceeding, the TV Ombudsman is fundamentally a mechanism that implicates citizens. It is not only an entity of vigilance on ethics of Television. It is essentially a platform of dialogue between journalists, programmers and TV viewers. As in the press, the Ombudsman is a mediator. Although it is probably not an absolute guarantee of quality, TV Ombudsman is surely an argument of citizens against the bad things diffused by the box that we believe is the one by which the most important of our lives goes trough.

Abstract

Education in and for the media is doubtlessly necessary and is very slowly slipping into regular education, but not very satisfactorily. This work must be fleshed out by the media’s effort to take some responsibility for the educational work as well, not by educating directly, but by trying to match their broadcasts with the values that education is trying to convey. Audiovisual Councils can play a role in driving media education, helping the educational system to meet its responsibility to educate children to use properly the television, the Internet and other regular screens habitually surrounding them. At the same time, these Councils can help media professionals enforce and interpret legislation about audiovisual contents freely and responsibly, thereby facilitating self-regulation. The article contributes the experience garnered by the Audiovisual Council of Catalonia in promoting media literacy.

Abstract

The concept of Public Service has recently suffered a big transformation. After loosing its educational and positive connotations what remains now is its negative dimension: child protection. The present article shows the first results of an exhaustive and longitudinal research over the television content broadcast during the special protection hours. Focus has been paid to violence infractions. With the classic methodology for this type of content research analysing over 8,100 hours of visual work and codification. The results offer the data from comparative description of infractions on every network: programs, people involved on violence acts, period of time and so on. It also shed some light on the evolution over the last four years of television content from a comparative perspective. The article concludes with the resulting data showing how during the last two years, with a stricter self selection of content by networks, has not alleviated the level of infractions, and violence is still used by networks to increase their share. The final remark is that it seems as if TV channels are victims of their own behaviour when making a choice of content selection. The highest number of infractions are found, in all networks, public or private, on the programming with which they identify.

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a pattern of lack of attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity; derived from poor behavioral, cognitive and emotional self-regulation that negatively impacts the patient and their environment, and that if we are treated in time can trigger behavioral, emotional and social problems such as mood disorders, antisocial behavior, substance abuse among others. To explain ADHD, Barkley (1997) points out that the key symptoms underlie a deficit in inhibitory control associated with executive dysfunctions, which impede self-regulation. The objective of the present investigation was to determine self-regulation in children with ADHD. The research was carried out through a non-experimental and transversal design. The population consisted of parents of children with ADHD between 6 and 8 years of age who attend the Psychoeducational Development Center CEDEPSI, C.A. For data collection, the executive function evaluation questionnaire was used through the BRIEF behavior. Among the results, the existence of failures of self-regulation at a behavioral, cognitive and emotional level was detected, detected in the executive functions of emotional control, working memory and monitoring mainly. Therefore, the need to stimulate adequate executive functioning and self-regulatory capacities in children with ADHD is considered imperative

Abstract

National TV channels in Spain signed a self-regulation code to protect rights of children on December 2004. This code developed a special protected schedule for children from 8.00 am to 9.00 am and 17.00 pm to 20.00 pm. This article studies this measure as a social responsibility action to protect children as stakeholders. We also offer the results of an analysis content made in four different periods that measures how often TV channels have ignored the code.

Abstract

Mainstream media all over the world have been regulating the behavior of their journalists in social media, fearing these new forms of communications might damage the credibility of their institutions. Those who have not yet done so face with concern this unstoppable challenge and are now outlining their own guidelines for social media policies. In an effort to inspire the design of these new policies, this paper aims to approach the recurring topics in the policies already written by leading media such as AP, American Society of News Editors (ASNE), BBC, Bloomberg, Charlotte observer, Freedom communication, Los Angeles times, NPR, Orlando sentinel, Politico, Reuters, Rockford register star,Saint Louis post-dispatch, Source media group, The Denver post, The guardian, The journal gazette, The Manhattan Mercury, The New York times, The Roanoke times, The Wall Street journaly The Washington post. A qualitative content analysis of 22 of these policies has been conducted to identify these topics.

Abstract

The quest to promote minimum ethical advertising standards is a concern in self-regulatory systems. This practice was introduced in Spain in 1995, the same year Autocontrol was founded. This article aims to examine how consumer associations view the functions of Autocontrol; specifically, the assessment these associations make of the Autocontrol claims system that is a key (and the only) part for any “external” actors to the association to be able to participate. The method used is a case study in which interviews with consumer associations were especially relevant.

Abstract

In a profoundly changing context, media accountability systems have clearly undergone a process of evolution by taking advantage of the internet and web 2.0 possibilities. While traditional instruments have a limited impact on professional practice and are scarcely used by citizens, the digital environment allows new ways of self-regulation, transparency, and monitoring of news quality, in which users’ participation plays a decisive role. The article identifies, describes and categorizes the new online accountability systems that have emerged in the Spanish media landscape, examining those that operate both within and outside digital media. The analysis of the identified systems has allowed the elaboration of a first classification of the innovative accountability systems existing in Spain.

Abstract

Self-regulation has received scarce attention in Spain in both the professional arena, where its practical utility is not valued, and also in the academic world. The situation has improved in recent years and should continue, given the role that selfregulation plays in complex societies. Academic research must: critically analyze the work of self-regulation mechanisms and disseminate that research among the expert community and future professionals. In addition to presenting these ideas in detail, this article describes the findings of an analysis of the first hundred decisions of the FAPE’s Arbitration, Complaints and Deontology Commission, drawing conclusions about the work of this agency of self-regulation.

Abstract

Advertising is a traditionally questioned activity, not only from the ethical point of view, but also legal. This article analyzes the ethical commitment of the advertising industry through the study of the characteristics and activity of Autocontrol, the Spanish advertising self-regulation system, and by means of in-depth interviews to directors of the main advertising agencies operating in Spain. The results of the research show significant ethical commitment from advertising professionals and the relevant activity of Autocontrol; most of the advertising disseminated in Spain has been subject to a previous ethical review through the service of Copy Advise®.