Love Island: New set of TV rules to protect ‘welfare, wellbeing and dignity’ could completely change ITV2 show
Under the proposed rules, broadcasters must also ensure that participants are not ‘caused unjustified distress or anxiety by taking part in programmes’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A new set of rules proposed by media watchdog Ofcom could radically change Love Island and similar reality shows.
Under the proposed rules, British TV and radio stations would be required to protect the “welfare, wellbeing and dignity” of people who take part in their programmes.
Ofcom also said broadcasters would have to take measures to ensure that members of the public are not “caused unjustified distress or anxiety by taking part in programmes or by the broadcast of those programmes”.
The proposals, which have been announced on the same day as the Love Island final, could mean huge changes for the future of reality TV, as well as news and documentaries.
With much of the success of reality TV riding on showing embarrassing footage of contestants and times of emotional difficulty, the proposed rules could mean major changes for the way programmes like Love Island are made, edited and promoted.
Ofcom said its proposals have been developed partly in response to the recent death of a man who appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Reality TV’s regulations and its impact on mental health made headlines earlier this year after the suicide of former Love Island contestant Mike Thalassitis in March. Thalassitis was the second participant of the ITV2 show to take their own life, following the death of Sophie Gradon in June 2018.
The watchdog highlighted the thousands of complaints it has received regarding the treatment of Dani Dyer on Love Island, as well as the row between Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas on Big Brother, and between Kim Woodburn and Coleen Nolan on Loose Women.
“There has been growing openness and concern about mental health and wellbeing in recent years,” reads the report. “We have also seen a steady rise in complaints expressing concern about the welfare and wellbeing of people who take part in programmes.”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled
ITV2 recently announced plans to air two series of Love Island a year, adding a winter edition of the show. The forthcoming series could be one of the first programmes to be affected by Ofcom’s new rules.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments