Is this the role for you? This opportunity would suit a senior solicitor or barrister with strong expertise in media law, broadcasting regulation and editorial risk, who can provide clear, practical advice in a fast-moving content environment.
What will you be doing?
- Partner with in-house producers and commissioners to provide legal and regulatory advice on programme and online content across a broad range of issues, including defamation, contempt, privacy, data protection, intellectual property and compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and other relevant regulations
- Support content teams before and after broadcast or publication across multiple genres, including live output, current affairs, documentaries, true crime, factual and drama content
- Assess legal, editorial and regulatory risk in production and publication, helping teams make informed decisions and manage potential criminal or civil exposure
- Work closely with commissioners, production companies, press, programme management, business affairs, creatives, marketing and senior leadership
- Collaborate with colleagues across the legal team and wider business, using sound judgement and drawing on specialist input where issues are new, sensitive or complex
- Advise on contributor welfare and child protection, commercial references, teleshopping, sponsorship, product placement, broadcast competitions, election broadcasting and related editorial compliance matters
- Provide guidance on editorial standards and ethics affecting programmes and online content
- Support reviews of programme and online content issues before and after broadcast
- Prepare responses to complaints and regulatory investigations, including Ofcom standards, fairness and privacy matters
- Attend recordings and live or as-live programming where needed to provide timely legal advice
- Support pre-litigation and post-litigation matters where required
- You'll also help keep the team up to date on developments in media law and regulation, contributing to know-how, guidance and shared best practice across the function
- Build strong working relationships across the business and contribute to a collaborative team environment
- Represent the business and its content brands with professionalism, sound judgement and credibility
- Help foster an inclusive culture where different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences are valued.
Commercial compliance:- Advise on sponsorship opportunities and support content sign-off from script through to rough cut and delivery, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and brand standards
- Support the use and licensing of intellectual property, including brands and characters, across partnerships, advertising, digital and social campaigns
- Provide legal input on internal projects and release support across film, streaming and other content platforms
- Support new monetisation opportunities across streaming, direct-to-consumer, events, advertiser-funded programming and digital channels
- Partner with commissioning teams on advertiser-funded programming and commercial integration within content
- Advise on advertising compliance, including BCAP Codes and related guidance
- Training and knowledge sharing
- Deliver training for staff and freelancers on legal and compliance issues affecting programme and online content
- Keep pace with upcoming legal and regulatory developments and help ensure the wider business is informed of relevant changes.
What are we looking for?
- Qualified solicitor or barrister with significant post-qualification experience in programme legal and regulatory compliance relating to content creation and publication within public service or commercial broadcasting
- Strong expertise in media law and regulation, including defamation, contempt, privacy, copyright, data protection, the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and BCAP Codes and guidance
- Experience advising producers and commissioners before and after broadcast on media law and regulation in relation to programme, digital or other media content
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to a wide range of stakeholders
- A thoughtful and practical approach, with strong listening skills and the confidence to ask the right questions before reaching a view
- Sound judgement and creative problem-solving skills when handling legal and editorial issues
- The ability to adapt quickly, learn continuously and apply new knowledge in a practical way.
- A strong appreciation for freedom of expression and editorial integrity
- A collaborative and flexible approach, with the resilience to manage a varied workload in a time-sensitive environment
- Confidence using technology and digital tools in day-to-day legal work.
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