Commentary on Sections Part 1: Functions of Ofcom Section 11: Duty to promote media literacy
43.This section provides that it shall be a duty of OFCOM to enter into arrangements calculated to bring about, or to encourage others to bring about, increased public awareness and understanding of material published by the electronic media, the processes by which such material is selected or made available for publication, the available systems by which access to such published material is or can be regulated, and the available systems by which persons to whom such material is available may control what is received. OFCOM are also required to encourage the development and use of technologies and systems for regulating access to such material, and for facilitating control over what material is received. These could include internet filtering systems, rating systems by which, for example, programmes and videos can be given a classification that indicates the nature of their content, and other technical devices such as PIN-based systems to control viewing. Promotion of the use of such systems could include OFCOM participating in the development of related educational materials.