Broadcast Interview Request Pack

Four formal on-the-record interview request letters for UK broadcast journalists — politician/official request, pre-record, live studio, and Ofcom Code 7-compliant right-of-reply — plus an Ofcom rules checklist.

Last reviewed: 13 June 2026Next review due: 13 December 2026

Note:This is a template — adapt it to your specific situation. Not legal advice. For complex Ofcom compliance questions, consult your outlet's legal team or refer to the full Ofcom Broadcasting Code at ofcom.org.uk.

Who this pack is for

This pack is for UK broadcast journalists at the BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4, commercial radio stations, and independent production companies who need to formalise interview requests and document their Ofcom compliance steps. Written request letters create an editorial record, make clear what you have agreed, and protect you if a contributor later claims they were misled about the purpose or format of the interview.

The right-of-reply letter is the critical document for Ofcom Section 7 compliance when making significant allegations. It shows regulators that you gave the subject a fair, timely, and specific opportunity to respond before broadcast. Always keep a copy and note any response or non-response.

What’s in this pack

Five templates — copy, adapt, and file.

Politician / Official Request

Formal on-the-record request for a politician or senior official, with key areas, format, and refusal notice.

Pre-Record Request

Interview request clarifying editing rights, clip use, and lack of copy approval.

Live Studio Request

Live broadcast invitation with logistics, slot details, and accreditation steps.

Right-of-Reply Letter

Ofcom Code Practice 7.11 compliant letter setting out specific allegations before broadcast.

Ofcom Code 7 Checklist

Fairness compliance checklist — run through before broadcast.

Template 1: Politician / Official Interview Request

For approaching politicians, ministers, senior officials, or spokespeople. Note the refusal clause — it encourages a response and documents your approach for Ofcom purposes.

BROADCAST INTERVIEW REQUEST — POLITICIAN / OFFICIAL

Date: [DATE]
To: [NAME], [TITLE / OFFICE]
Address / Email: [ADDRESS / EMAIL]
From: [YOUR NAME], [PROGRAMME / OUTLET], [BROADCASTER]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing to request an on-the-record interview with you for [PROGRAMME NAME], broadcast on [CHANNEL / PLATFORM].

Purpose of the interview:
[Describe the story or topic — e.g. We are reporting on [TOPIC] ahead of [EVENT / VOTE / DEADLINE]. We would like to put questions to you about [SPECIFIC ANGLE].]

Format: [In-studio / on location / video link]
Proposed duration: [DURATION, e.g. 10 minutes]
Expected broadcast date: [DATE OR WEEK]
The interview will be on the record in full.

Key areas I intend to explore:
— [TOPIC 1]
— [TOPIC 2]
— [TOPIC 3]

Please note that if you decline to give an interview, or do not respond by [DEADLINE DATE AND TIME], we will report that [NAME / YOUR OFFICE] declined to comment.

Please contact me at [EMAIL / PHONE] to confirm your availability or to discuss the request.

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[PROGRAMME / OUTLET]
[BROADCASTER]
[EMAIL] | [PHONE]

Template 2: Pre-Record Interview Request

Sets out clearly that editorial control rests with the broadcaster and that material may be used across digital platforms. Prevents later disputes about editing and clip use.

BROADCAST INTERVIEW REQUEST — PRE-RECORD

Date: [DATE]
To: [NAME / PRESS OFFICE]
From: [YOUR NAME], [PROGRAMME / OUTLET], [BROADCASTER]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing to request a pre-record interview with [INTERVIEWEE NAME / TITLE] for [PROGRAMME NAME].

Topic: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]
Location: [STUDIO / ON LOCATION AT ADDRESS]
Proposed recording date: [DATE]
Proposed broadcast date: [DATE OR WEEK]
Duration of interview: approximately [DURATION]
The interview will be on the record.

Please note the following regarding how the interview may be used:
— The interview will be edited for broadcast by our editorial team. Editorial control rests with [BROADCASTER] and we are unable to offer copy approval or a right of withdrawal after recording.
— Clips from the interview may be used across [BROADCASTER]'s digital platforms and social media channels.
— If the interview is not broadcast in the scheduled programme, we reserve the right to use it in related content or news reports.

We will share the broad areas of questioning in advance if requested, but reserve the right to ask additional questions arising from the interview itself.

Please confirm availability by [DEADLINE]. Contact me at [EMAIL / PHONE].

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[PROGRAMME / OUTLET]
[BROADCASTER]
[EMAIL] | [PHONE]

Template 3: Live Studio Interview Request

Covers logistics, studio details, and makes clear the interview is live and unedited. Include your studio contact for accreditation.

BROADCAST INTERVIEW REQUEST — LIVE STUDIO

Date: [DATE]
To: [NAME / PRESS OFFICE]
From: [YOUR NAME], [PROGRAMME / OUTLET], [BROADCASTER]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing to invite [INTERVIEWEE NAME / TITLE] to give a live on-the-record interview on [PROGRAMME NAME].

Broadcast slot: [DATE], [TIME]
Duration: approximately [DURATION]
Studio address: [ADDRESS] (or [VIDEO LINK PLATFORM] if remote)
Topic: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION]

The interview will be broadcast live and unedited. Our presenter will be [PRESENTER NAME]. As a live interview, there is no opportunity for editorial review before broadcast.

Areas we intend to cover:
— [TOPIC 1]
— [TOPIC 2]
— [TOPIC 3]

We will need to confirm your attendance by [DEADLINE] to allow for security and logistics. Please contact [STUDIO CONTACT NAME] at [EMAIL / PHONE] to arrange accreditation and on-the-day logistics.

For editorial queries, please contact me at [EMAIL / PHONE].

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[PROGRAMME / OUTLET]
[BROADCASTER]

Template 4: Right-of-Reply Letter (Ofcom Code 7)

Use for any significant allegation before broadcast. The allegation must be specific — vague “we are investigating you” letters do not satisfy Ofcom Practice 7.11.

RIGHT-OF-REPLY LETTER (OFCOM CODE 7 COMPLIANCE)

Date: [DATE]
To: [NAME / PRESS OFFICE / LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE]
From: [YOUR NAME], [PROGRAMME / OUTLET], [BROADCASTER]
Re: [PROGRAMME NAME] — broadcast [DATE / WEEK]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing to give you an opportunity to respond to a significant allegation we intend to make in [PROGRAMME NAME], scheduled for broadcast on [DATE / WEEK].

In accordance with Ofcom Broadcasting Code Practice 7.11, this letter sets out the specific allegation so that you have a fair opportunity to comment before broadcast.

THE ALLEGATION
[Set out the specific factual allegation clearly and precisely — e.g. Our investigation found that [NAME / ORGANISATION] [SPECIFIC ACT OR OMISSION] on [DATE(S)], based on [EVIDENCE / SOURCE TYPE].]

We invite you to:
(a) confirm or deny the allegation;
(b) provide any context, explanation, or corrections;
(c) indicate if you wish to give an interview (see our separate interview request).

Deadline for response: [DATE AND TIME]

If we do not receive a response by this deadline, we will report that [NAME / ORGANISATION] was contacted but did not respond [or declined to comment].

Your response will be handled fairly and may be included in the programme or reported verbatim. Please indicate if any part of your response is on background only.

Please contact me at [EMAIL / PHONE].

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[PROGRAMME / OUTLET]
[BROADCASTER]

Ofcom Code 7 Compliance Checklist

Run through this before broadcast on any programme making significant allegations. Keep a copy on file for two years.

OFCOM CODE 7 COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

Use before broadcast for any programme making significant allegations:

FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE
[ ] Have you given the subject an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond? (Practice 7.11)
[ ] Is the deadline you have set reasonable given the broadcast timeline?
[ ] Have you kept a copy of your right-of-reply letter and any response?

NO DECEPTION
[ ] Was the interview obtained without deception as to the programme's purpose? (Practice 7.2)
[ ] If undercover filming was used, is there a clear public interest justification? (Practice 7.14)

MATERIAL USE
[ ] Is pre-recorded material used in a way consistent with what was agreed? (Practice 7.6)
[ ] Is the overall impression of the programme fair to the subject? (Practice 7.9)

PRIVACY
[ ] Is any intrusion into private life justified by clear public interest? (Section 8)

POST-BROADCAST
[ ] Keep copies of all interview requests, right-of-reply letters, and responses for at least two years.

Source: Ofcom Broadcasting Code, Section 7 (Fairness), www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to send a formal interview request letter for every broadcast interview?

Not always — many interviews are arranged informally by phone or email. However, for interviews with politicians, senior officials, or subjects who may later dispute what was agreed, a written request protects you. It records the stated purpose, format, duration, and on-the-record status before you meet. This is especially important for Ofcom compliance where you may need to show you gave the subject a fair opportunity to respond.

What does Ofcom Broadcasting Code Section 7 require?

Ofcom Broadcasting Code Section 7 (Fairness) requires broadcasters to deal fairly with contributors and subjects of programmes. Key obligations include: giving people a fair opportunity to contribute to a programme about them; not obtaining contributions through deception; not using material in a way that suggests a different meaning from what was intended; and giving people an opportunity to respond to significant allegations before broadcast (Practices 7.11 and 7.12). The right-of-reply letter in this pack is designed to satisfy Practices 7.11 and 7.12.

Can a politician or official refuse a broadcast interview?

Yes. There is no legal obligation on any individual to give an interview. However, a refusal to engage is itself newsworthy and can be reported. If a politician or official declines, note this clearly in your request letter (that a refusal will be reported) and keep a record of your request. For Ofcom compliance, you need to be able to show you gave them a fair opportunity to respond — sending a right-of-reply letter is often sufficient even if no interview takes place.

What is a pre-record interview and what extra issues does it raise?

A pre-record interview is filmed or recorded in advance of broadcast and edited before transmission. This raises additional issues around editing rights: your request letter should make clear that editorial control rests with the broadcaster, not the interviewee. Some contributors — particularly politicians — may ask for copy approval or the right to withdraw. These rights are not standard and you should resist them. Set out clearly in your request how the material may be used, including clips for social media and digital platforms.

When must I send a right-of-reply letter before broadcast?

Under Ofcom Broadcasting Code Practice 7.11, if a programme makes a significant allegation about an individual or organisation, you should normally give them an appropriate and timely opportunity to respond before broadcast. The right-of-reply letter should contain a specific summary of the allegation you intend to make, a clear deadline for response (typically 24–72 hours depending on broadcast timeline), and your contact details. Keep a copy and note any response or non-response on the record.