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Background Note

This is an example checklist that imagines productions that feature unpaid members of the public across multiple episodes or over an extended filming period, including reality TV, observational documentaries, and competition series.

Contributors in this category may face significantly greater welfare risks than one-off participants. They may be away from home, separated from support networks, living in shared accommodation, subject to intense editorial scrutiny, and exposed to continuing public and media attention after broadcast.

Under section 7 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, broadcasters and production companies must avoid unjust or unfair treatment of individuals or organisations in programmes. This includes dealing fairly with contributors. You have a duty of care to contributors who may be at risk of significant harm.

A risk assessment should be considered at the earliest stage in your production process. Carrying out a risk assessment is a useful way to determine what level of care is due in each case and what specialist support, if any, is required at each stage of your production.

Please note that when you create your Risk Assessment Checklist of this kind, we strongly recommend it be approved by your own legal advisors and your insurers.