Broadcasting Act 1990

167 Power to make copies of recordings

(1) If a justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath laid by a constable that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that a relevant offence has been committed by any person in respect of a programme included in a programme service, he may make an order authorising any constable to require that person—

(a) to produce to the constable a visual or sound recording of any matter included in that programme, if and so far as that person is able to do so; and

(b) on the production of such a recording, to afford the constable an opportunity of causing a copy of it to be made.

(2) An order made under this section shall describe the programme to which it relates in a manner sufficient to enable that programme to be identified.

(3) A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any requirement of a constable made by virtue of subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the third level on the standard scale.

(4) No order shall be made under this section in respect of any recording in respect of which a warrant could be granted under any of the following provisions, namely—

(a) section 3 of the [1959 c. 66.] Obscene Publications Act 1959;

(b) section 24 of the [1986 c. 64.] Public Order Act 1986; and

(c) Article 14 of the [S.I.1987/463 (N.I.7).] Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987.

(5) In the application of subsection (1) to England and Wales “relevant offence” means an offence under—

(a) section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959; or

(b) section 22 of the Public Order Act 1986.

(6) In the application of subsection (1) to Scotland—

(a) “relevant offence” means an offence under—

(i) section 51 of the [1982 c. 45.] Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, or

(ii) section 22 of the Public Order Act 1986;

(b) the reference to a justice of the peace shall include a reference to the sheriff; and

(c) for the reference to information on oath there shall be substituted a reference to evidence on oath.

(7) In the application of subsection (1) to Northern Ireland—

(a) “relevant offence” means an offence under Article 12 of the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987;

(b) for the reference to a justice of the peace there shall be substituted a reference to a resident magistrate; and

(c) for the reference to information on oath laid by a constable there shall be substituted a reference to a complaint on oath made by a constable.