ABSTRACT
In Britain, advertisements on television and radio have been regulated differently toadvertisements in print and other ‘non-broadcast’ media. From the start of commercialtelevision in 1955, broadcasting regulation was statutory, meaning it was subject to laws made in Parliament, which authorised agencies to oversee and control all broadcast output, including advertisements. By contrast, the system established for ‘non-broadcast’ media was principally one of self-regulation, whereby the industry regulates its own behaviour, so that, in principle at least, advertisers, agencies and media work together to agree standards and ensure that all parties comply. In 2004 self-regulation was extended to broadcast advertising and the two systems began to converge.
