Make a complaint to the broadcaster
If you wish to complain about a breach of broadcasting standards other than privacy or an election programme, you must first make a written formal complaint to the broadcaster (learn more here).
Formal complaints must be in writing and must be made to the broadcaster within 20 working days of the broadcast.
Your complaint to the broadcaster should include the following details:
- date of the broadcast
- time of the broadcast
- title of the programme
- channel or station which broadcast the programme
- details of the broadcasting standard that you consider has been breached and why.
If you are not satisfied with the Broadcaster’s response to your complaint or if the broadcaster does not respond to your complaint within 20 working days, you can then refer your complaint to the BSA.
If you can’t find the broadcaster’s details, please contact us.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All FAQ's ›This is the process required under the Broadcasting Act 1989. It gives the broadcaster a chance to answer your complaint first and take action, if appropriate. If you’re satisfied with their answer you can choose not to take the complaint further.
No. The BSA can only respond to formal complaints about content once it has been broadcast. We can’t take any action before a programme is aired, unless it falls within the BSA’s limited power to stop further programmes in a series.
If you have concerns about a programme before it airs, these are best directed to the broadcaster.
The BSA has no such powers. We become involved only when formal complaints come to us about specific programmes.