Researching Illegal or Anti-social Material

BBC staff need permission to 
research offensive material

"It is unacceptable to access, archive, store, distribute, edit or record sexually explicit or other offensive material. The only exception may relate to legitimate journalism or research for BBC programmes, when individuals must seek the authority of their manager and one of the personnel shown in the section "Authorised Personnel".

The display of any sexually explicit image or document is unacceptable, this includes screen-savers. The display of such material can result in claims of harassment and discrimination and can risk disciplinary action.

An individual who inadvertently finds that they have accessed a site containing offensive or sexually explicit material must exit the site immediately...

Any individual who is found using the internet for illegal purposes will be subject to the disciplinary procedure which could result in dismissal and possible criminal prosecution. The BBC will comply with reasonable requests from law enforcement and regulatory authorities, for information relating to an individual's use of the internet.

Individuals must observe legislation which relates to internet and email, including the Data Protection Act 1998, Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988."

This advice is given to those are given approval

• Certain sites are illegal and this approval gives you absolutely no rights to access them
  

• Please ensure that whilst you are visiting offensive sites your 
  PC is not visible to others in the office.  If it is a long term project we advise using a desk that is not openly visible to others in the office.  
  

• Please ensure your screensaver is turned on whenever you are away from your desk, and ideally that it is a password protected one. ( Screensavers can be turned on and password controlled by following this path: start – settings - control panel – display – screensaver. Tick the password box and choose a screensaver)  
  

• Do not allow others access to your computer without IS approval.  
  

• Please delete any evidence of visits to offensive sites from your PC, including CD Roms, back up discs and favourite sites when you no longer need them.  (This will be most effectively done by contacting the service desk to have a desktop rebuild.)  If you choose to retain any information, you are doing so for your own benefit and you will not be authorised.  
  

• Please do not use your BBC Logon ID or password to identify yourself on any offensive internet services.