Using social media posts in programmes – rights & legal considerations

As part of our Mind your business strand, we're offering training in a range of areas related to business management & development, production finance, legal & business affairs, rights, and compliance, giving individuals the tools needed to thrive in their chosen field in unscripted TV. 

“Surely because it’s out there, I can just use it, right?….”

This new course offers an overview of the Rights and Legal considerations when using existing social media posts within programmes, using recent examples. Led by Ben Green (Director & Founder of BGA Ltd Rights Consultancy) and Clare Hoban (Solicitor at Reviewed & Cleared).

Who it's for

This course is for anyone working in unscripted TV who want to learn more about the legal side of using social media as archive.

If you work in production management in unscripted TV and want a session that focuses solely on that area, please apply for Using social media posts in programmes – rights & legal considerations – production management instead.

The majority of the USF online short course offering is for those at early career stage and above. As a result, we generally require applicants to have at least 3 credits (unless working in a traditionally uncredited role). If you strongly feel you would still benefit from the training, please email USF@screenskills.com so we can assess if an exception should be made.

We are committed to ensuring all our courses are accessible to everyone. Please email the above address if you have any access requirements and we will be delighted to help.

What it covers

• Where do I start with the Rights? - the different rights and copyrights that may be contained within the post
• Tracing and clearing rights holders
• Can I use Fair Dealing?
• T’s & C’s of the social media platform
• Legal and regulatory considerations of re-using a post, including:

• Defamation
• Privacy
• Contempt of Court
• Regulatory issues (Ofcom)

The session aims to provide practical tips on how to navigate the risks associated with all of the above, using recent examples to highlight the issues.

Trainers:

Ben Green is a pioneer of ground-breaking rights deals for the future, working internationally with many leading companies across the broadcasting, creative arts and digital sectors. 

Ben spent over 20 years at the BBC, most recently as Head of Rights Business Development, before setting up his own consultancy to advise the wider sector, and recent clients include the BFI, StoryFutures, The Space, and several independent producers and creatives. He regularly trains the industry in Rights, Copyright, and Negotiation Skills (NFTS, ScreenSkills and BBC Academy), and was accepted as a BAFTA member in 2019.

Clare Hoban is a UK media content lawyer who started her 20-year specialism in content in print, followed by years as a senior television content lawyer at the BBC. She now advises broadcasters, production companies, podcast producers and publishers from the UK and around the globe, at Reviewed & Cleared. 

Clare regularly advises on content following the work of the emergency services, including police and medics, and is actively sought out to help navigate issues including duty of care, consent and privacy. Over the years, Clare has advised on a large number of high-profile, controversial documentaries and factual dramas. She has also advised on hundreds of hours of live, ‘as live’ and fast-turnaround output including high-risk entertainment and current affairs.  

How to apply

This session will take place online via Zoom. Click ‘book ticket’ and follow the instructions to book for your place: you must login or register before you are able to book your place.

If you are no longer able to attend, we ask you to please use the “decline ticket” function on the right hand side of the page so that we can release your place. Our sessions are often oversubscribed, so we’d like to give other freelancers the opportunity to fill available spots. Thank you for your consideration.

This session is supported by the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund which invests in training for the unscripted workforce thanks to contributions from broadcasters, SVoDs and production companies.

This course would normally cost participants to attend, but thanks to this support, we are able to offer it to you for free. If you fail to attend, we reserve the right to request reimbursement of costs, unless your place can be taken by someone else.