Presenters' Contract

Presenters' Contract

I, The Undersigned, agree to abide by URY's station rules and regulations as set out below, and the Ofcom Programming Code (accessible at www.ofcom.org.uk). I have fully read and understood these rules and regulations, and I understand that if I break any of the rules or regulations stated by Ofcom or its successor, I will be solely liable for any resulting fines or actions that may be levied against University Radio York.

I also understand that should I break any of URY’s rules or regulations, I am liable to be subject to disciplinary action as decided by URY’s Programme Controller. I will also abide by the YUSU media charter (available from the Student Centre). I have never been convicted of any criminal offence related to radio broadcasting.

In the event of The Undersigned ceasing to be a member or honorary member of URY, this contract will expire before the expiry date at the discretion of the Programme Controller.

URY Rules And Regulations

1. You must have passed a URY training session, paid £7 membership to URY and have permission to broadcast from the Programme Controller in order to be allowed to operate broadcast equipment.
2. If you operate broadcast equipment, you are responsible for its correct usage and for upholding URY’s stated rules and regulations at all times.
3. 1. You are responsible for the content of all broadcasts in which you operate the broadcast equipment, including all technical and audible contributions that you, co-presenters or guests make.
   2. An individual may appear as a guest presenter on air twice in an academic year without being a URY member. After those two appearances the individual must pay membership, register on MyRadio and become studio trained before they may appear on another URY show.
4. You must do all shows that you have signed-up for, unless the Programme Controller states otherwise.
5. If you are going to be late for your show, you must contact the Programme Controller as soon as possible. If you believe that you will be unable to do your show, you must inform the Programme Controller at least 48 hours before the occasion in question.
6. If you have to cancel your show suddenly due to unforeseen circumstances, you should contact the Programme Controller as soon as possible.
7. Anyone who runs broadcast equipment on-air must sign in using SIS (Studio Information System). This person must also log in any guests present in the studio.
8. You must broadcast the station name and frequency at least once an hour during your show (e.g. play the News-in Jingle) unless the Programme Controller states otherwise.
9. You must broadcast the news every hour. You must also broadcast all or any SBN/IRN adverts that follow provided the feed is available. In the event that there is a technical fault, you must inform the Programme Controller as soon as possible.
10. 1. You must play all copyrighted music content on your show through BAPS (i.e. you may not use digital music players, including MP3 players, laptops and mobile phones, streaming services such as Spotify or YouTube, or any physical media such as compact discs), except with special permission from the Programme Controller.
    2. All copyrighted music content that is not played through BAPS (subject to the previous clause) must be logged manually, as instructed by the Programme Controller. BAPS will do this automatically.
11. You must follow our PPL music licence laws at all times. The laws are outlined as follows:
    1. During any 3 hour period:
       1. You must play no more than 3 tracks from any album (and no more than 2 consecutively).
       2. You must play no more than 4 tracks from any particular artist or compilation (and no more than 3 consecutively).
       3. You must only place a track once in any 1-hour period.
       4. You must not use tracks as beds at any time.
    2. For a single hour show, you can ensure you do not infringe on PPL laws by abiding by these guidelines:
       1. Play no more than 1 track from any album by a single artist.
       2. Play no more than 2 tracks from any particular artist or compilation (and no more than 2 consecutively).
       3. A Track may only be played once in any 1-hour period.
       4. You must not use tracks as beds at any time
12. You must show impartiality on all political, sectarian, or otherwise contentious issues. If you intend to or predict that you might broadcast potentially controversial output, consult the Programme Controller.
13. 1. You must not swear on-air, nor express racist, sexist, homophobic, or otherwise offensive opinions in any broadcast. Use of gratuitous swearing is always unacceptable.
    2. Songs that contain swearing may be played on shows between the hours of 9pm and 5am with advance permission from the Programme Controller. A standard or otherwise pre-agreed disclaimer is to be played at the beginning of each hour of the show. It is unacceptable for presenters and their guests to swear at any time.
14. You must not mention that we can be heard off campus on 1350AM.
15. You must not broadcast under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor allow anyone on the show to do so.
16. You must play all adverts scheduled during your show. The advert schedule can be found on the notice board in Studio 1, and must be signed when the relevant adverts have been played.
17. You must leave the studio clean and tidy. You may not remove any URY property without permission from a URY officer. You may not remove or copy any URY music. Such activities are illegal and will be dealt with accordingly.
18. If you are the last person to leave URY, you must pull down all blinds, close all windows and lock the front door. Station key cards must be returned to the porter. Should there be any problem with station key cards or any aspect of URY security, please contact the Programme Controller. In an emergency, contact Security Services on (01904) 434444.
19. You must abide by the Ofcom Programming Code at all times.

Disciplinary Actions

Warnings

There are 2 kinds of warnings that the Programme Controller can issue on any occasion, should they see fit. Inappropriate behaviour, misuse of URY property, breach of URY rules and breach of Ofcom rules are the most sensitive occasions in which warnings will be considered.

Informal Warning

Any member of URY may be issued with an informal warning in the event that he or she commits an offence that the Programme Controller considers noteworthy, relatively minor, inappropriate or unacceptable. If you receive an informal warning and repeat the infraction warned against, you will receive a formal warning.

Formal Warning

Any member of URY may be issued with a formal warning at the discretion of the Programme Controller. The person in question need not have received any informal warnings nor committed previous offences. In the event that he or she breaches URY rules, Ofcom rules or behaves otherwise inappropriately, the Programme Controller may decide to contact the member in question and/or issue a formal warning. If you receive a formal warning and repeat the infraction warned against, your show can be suspended or taken permanently off-air.

Suspension

The Programme Controller can suspend a presenter on any occasion for as long as they see fit.

Expulsion

The Programme Controller can decide to cancel a show or ban a presenter from doing a show on any occasion. Presenters may be banned from Studio 1 or URY as a whole.

Appeals Procedure

If your show is suspended it will be retained virtually on the system for one week, though you will be unable to present this show. Any appeals against the decision can be made to the Station Management within this time. If no appeal is made, the show will be removed permanently from the schedule. If an appeal is made, the presenter will be invited to meet with the Station Manager, Assistant Station Manager, Programme Controller and Training Coordinator to make their case. All decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Updates to the Contract

The URY Committee reserve the right to update this contract at any time following the procedures laid out in the Constitution and will notify members when this will take place.