Road/Street Wars

[chrissa1]

Can anyone explain to me why on these programmes when they stop someone in a car or whatever, some people have their faces blurred out and some don't?

I can understand the "innocent until proven guilty" mullarky, but they don't seem to be consistent in whose face is shown and whose is not. Do they require the persons permission before editing the footage,as in some cases, like chucking out time at the clubs, these people are so off their faces, they wouldn't know if it was Good Friday or Boxing Day!

[Uzoma]

Great question!

It seems that for faces to be shown they fall into one or two categories.

They either have to be guilty of the crime at the time of the programme or they give their permission. Actually, it's more likely that they do NOT refuse their permission.

I've noticed that once people say that they don't want to be shown, they get blurred out.

I've also noticed that minors get blurred out also.

Still, this is just my observation - I could be wrong . . .

[pug100]

One other legal point is if there is a prosecution pending and has not reached court at the time of broadcast.

Sky (or any media outlet papers, radio, tv and web) are not allowed to show anything or anyone that may bias the prosecution in any way as it's considered contempt of court.
So some faces are blurred because.
1. they don't want to be shown on tv
2. they are innocent and they don't want to be shown on tv.
3 .they are guilty and they don't want to be shown on tv .
4. Prosecution has not yet reached court and the tv shows solicitors don't want faces to be shown on tv.

[Ethel]

If there is a prosecution pending it will never be shown on these 'entertainment' programmes - it will be shown after the prosecution.

Faces are pixellated when permission to broadcast has been refused.

[chrissa1]

Thanks all. That all makes sense. Cheers.