Codes & Standards

The BAI Access Rules determine the levels of subtitling, sign language and audio description that broadcasters licensed in Ireland will be required to provide: Rules in pdf format. Rules in word format. Watch an ISL/Subtitled video of the rules. Listen to an audio version of the rules. Request a copy of the rules in the format that suits you including MS Word and Braille by emailing info@bai.ie OCS Consulting Report: Stakeholder consultation to inform revised set of Access Rules

The General Commercial Communications Code deals with advertising, sponsorship, product placement and other forms of commercial promotion. This code came into effect on the 1^st of June 2017. For the background on the development of the revised code please click here. Nutritional Profiling Model Guidance Notes HFSS Nutrition Profile Certificate Guidance Notes for Non-Alcoholic Product Variants (June 2019)

Guidance Notes for Advertising Directed Towards a Political End can be found here.

This code deals with matters of fairness, objectivity and impartiality in news and current affairs content. Guidance Notes for Code of Fairness, Objectivity & Impartiality Guidelines in Respect of Coverage of Election  BAI Referenda Guidelines

The main aims of the Code of Programme Standards is to promote responsible broadcasting and to advise viewers on the standards they can expect from broadcasting services and to enable viewers and listeners to hold broadcasters to account in the event they believe that a broadcaster has behaved irresponsibly.

The Children’s Commercial Communications Code deals with advertising, sponsorship, product placement and other forms of commercial promotion aimed at children or broadcast in or around children’s programming.  It includes rules on the promotion to children of food that is high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS food). As provided under the Broadcasting Act 2009, the BAI is required to undertake a statutory review of the effectiveness of the Children’s Code.

Guidance Notes for the Children’s Commercial Communications Code

Nutritional Profiling Model Guidance Notes

HFSS Nutrition Profile Certificate

Statutory Report on the Effect of the BAI Children’s Commercial Communications Code

The Right of Reply Scheme provides for a Right of Reply Statement that will facilitate the correction of incorrect information which has been broadcast and which has resulted in a person’s honour or reputation being impugned. Each broadcaster must include a copy of the scheme on its website and information on the station’s staff member who deals with such requests. A request for a Right of Reply should be submitted to the broadcaster in the first instance.  If you are not satisfied with the response from the broadcaster, you can refer your request to the BAI.  The BAI has a form to assist you in making a referral.

(daily & hourly limits) The BAI must set the limits on the level of two types of commercial content broadcast on Irish services; for advertising and teleshopping. The broadcasters are obligated to abide by the time limits set by the BAI.

The ODAS Code of Conduct for Media Service Providers deals with the provision of on-demand audiovisual media services. Its sets out the minimum standards required of service providers and provides for a complaint mechanism for the public.

The BAI issues guidance to public service broadcasters on the format that must be applied when it is preparing and publishing a code of fair trading practice. This guidance code sets out the principles that the broadcaster will apply when agreeing terms for the commission of programming material from independent producers.

The Code of Practice: Placement of TV Services on Saorview sets out the practices to be followed by RTÉ with regard to the placement of television services on the Saorview platform. It is primarily concerned with the level of prominence to be afforded particular public service channels and with ensuring fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory treatment for other channels seeking carriage on the Saorview platform.

The purpose of this Code is to give expression to requirements upon the BAI under Regulation 17(6) of the AVMS Regulations which provide that: – “the BAI shall ensure that the modalities and conditions regarding the provision of such short extracts are defined, in particular with regard to any compensation arrangements, the maximum length of short extracts and time limits regarding their transmission by the development of a code of practice. Where compensation is provided for, it shall not exceed the additional costs directly incurred in providing access.” This Code of Practice defines the modalities and conditions regarding the provision of short news extracts and fulfils the BAI’s obligation to develop a code of practice further to the AVMS Regulations

Connecting for Life, (CFL) is Ireland’s National strategy to Reduce Suicide 2015-2020. CFL is based on national and international evidence on suicide prevention strategies. It is designed to be a living document with actions adapted and updated to meet a changing society. The BAI’s obligation under the strategy is to apply and monitor its Code of Programming Standards including Principle 3 – Protection from Harm, which references self-harm and suicide to ensure responsible coverage around these issues in the broadcast media. Media guidelines can be found here (Samaritans website)