§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place to ensure that British broadcasters do not violate the Geneva Convention in their coverage of the war in Iraq. [106221]
§ Tessa Jowell[holding answer 1 April 2003]: The ITC establish high standards in relation to privacy and human dignity by placing, in their programme code, certain requirements on UK broadcasters. These include guidance on respect for human dignity and treatment of minorities. Broadcasters must adhere to these rules and respect them as regards prisoners of war. Equally these rules apply to the treatment of footage of dead soldiers and civilians. I expect that current ITC regulations will prevent the violation of the Geneva Convention occurring in material broadcast from a UK licensed service.
BBC producers' guidelines also recognise the principles of the Geneva Convention. The BBC believes that its editorial policies are fully consistent with the principles of the Geneva Convention. Their editorial policies (which are in the public domain) include guidelines on the coverage of casualties, death and injury and prisoners of war.
§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will investigate whether there has been a violation of the Geneva Convention by the BBC following their televising of film of United States soldiers held by Iraq as prisoners of war; and if she will make a statement. [106222]
§ Tessa Jowell[holding answer 1 Apri1 2003]: The BBC producers' guidelines recognise the principles of the Geneva Convention; individual editorial decisions on content are ultimately matters for the BBC Board of Governors.