British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010. The BBFC rates theatrically released films, and rated videos and video games that forfeited exemption from the Video Recordings Act 1984, which was discovered in August 2009 to be unenforceable until the act was re-enacted by the Video Recordings Act 2010. Legally, local authorities have the power to decide under what circumstances films are shown in cinemas, but they nearly always choose to follow the advice of the BBFC.
The current ratings are as follows
U – Universal
All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children over 4.
PG – Parental Guidance
All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8.
12A
Cinema only. Introduced in 2002. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words, and moderate violence/sex references.
12
Home media only since 2002. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence.
15
Only those over 15 years are admitted. Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity.
18
Only adults are admitted. Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.
R18 – Restricted 18
Can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at licensed retailers or sex shops, and only to adults, those aged 18 or over. Films under this category have material the BBFC does not allow for its "18" rating, thus the violence and sex activity will be stronger in R18-rated VHSs, DVDs and films than those rated "18," however, there is still a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.
British Video Association
The British Video Association is the trade body that represents the interests of publishers and rights owners of video entertainment
Film Distributors Association
Film Distributors' Association Ltd. (FDA) is the trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK - the companies that release films for UK cinema audiences. Originally established in London in 1915, FDA liaises and works with many individuals, companies and organisations. FDA's Council, or board, comprising a senior representative of each member company, normally meets six times a year and considers only matters of generic interest to film distributors.
Video Standards Council (VSC)
Video Standards Council (VSC) was established in 1989 to establish a Code of Practice for the UK video industry. VSC is the designated body responsible for the age rating of video games supplied in the UK
Television, Radio and Telecommunications Office for Communication (Ofcom)
Ofcom is the communications regulator.
They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms and mobiles, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. They make sure that people in the UK get the best from their communications services and are protected from scams and sharp practices, while ensuring that competition can thrive. Ofcom operates under the Communications Act 2003. This detailed Act of Parliament spells out exactly what Ofcom should do – we can do no more or no less than is spelt out in the Act. The Act says that Ofcom’s general duties should be to further the interests of citizens and of consumers. Meeting these two duties is at the heart of everything they do. Accountable to Parliament, they are involved in advising and setting some of the more technical aspects of regulation, implementing and enforcing the law. Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks, and grant-in-aid from the Government.
What they do
Their main legal duties are to ensure:
- the UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed services such as broadband;
- a wide range of high-quality television and radio programmes are provided, appealing to a range of tastes and interests;
- television and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations;
- people who watch television and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or offensive material;
- people are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes, and from having their privacy invaded; and
- the radio spectrum (the airwaves used by everyone from taxi firms and boat owners, to mobile-phone companies and broadcasters) is used in the most effective way.
What they do not do
They are not responsible for regulating:
- disputes between you and your telecoms provider;
- premium-rate services, including mobile-phone text services and ringtones;
- the content of television and radio adverts;
- complaints about accuracy in BBC programmes;
- the BBC TV licence fee; or
- newspapers and magazines.
Trading Standards Institute
The Trading Standards Institute is a professional membership association formed in 1881. It represents trading standards professionals in the UK and overseas - in local authorities, the business and consumer sectors and in central government. It exists to promote and protect the success of a modern vibrant economy, and to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of citizens by enhancing the professionalism of members in support of empowering consumers, encouraging honest business and targeting rogue traders.
Press Complaints Commission (PCC)
The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) is a voluntary regulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers. The PCC is funded by the annual levy it charges newspapers and magazines. It has no legal powers - all newspapers and magazines voluntarily contribute to the costs of, and adhere to the rulings of, the Commission, making the industry self-regulating.
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the self-regulatory organisation (SRO) of the advertising industry in the United Kingdom. The ASA is a non-statutory organisation and so cannot interpret or enforce legislation. Its role is to "regulate the content of advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK" by investigating "complaints made about ads, sales promotions or direct marketing", and deciding whether such advertising complies with its advertising standards codes. These codes stipulate that "before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation" and that "no marketing communication should mislead, or be likely to mislead, by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise".
The Independent Games Developers Association (IGDA)
International Game Developers Association (IGDA) is the professional society for over 10,000 video and computer game developers worldwide. It is incorporated in the United States as a non-profit organization. Its stated mission is "To advance the careers and enhance the lives of game developers." In recognition of the wide-ranging, multidisciplinary nature of interactive entertainment, there are no barriers to entry. Any person who considers him- or herself to be a game developer may join.
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.
BAFTA is an independent charity with a mission to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public". In addition to high-profile awards ceremonies BAFTA runs a year-round programme of educational events including film screenings, tribute evenings, interviews, lectures and debates with leading industry figures. BAFTA is supported by a membership of around 6500 people from the film, television and video game industries. BAFTA's main headquarters is on Piccadilly in London, but it also has branches in Scotland, in Wales, in New York and in Los Angeles.
The International Visual Communication Association (IVCA)
The International Visual Communications Association exists to represent its members to Government and other stakeholding bodies and to promote effective business and public service communications of the highest ethical and professional standards. The Association aims to be a centre of excellence for best communication practice and works with production companies, freelancers, support service providers and clients of the industry to represent their interests and help maximize their competitiveness and professionalism. The IVCA is the largest professional body of its kind in Europe with 1000 production members and 1500 Client Associates who commission business solutions from the industry.
Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C)
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the main international standards organization for the World Wide Web (abbreviated WWW or W3). W3C also engages in education and outreach, develops software and serves as an open forum for discussion about the Web.
British Interactive Multimedia Association (BIMA)
The British Interactive Media Association or 'BIMA' is an industry body representing the digital industry in the United Kingdom. BIMA showcases and rewards great digital work, celebrating excellence and raising standards, and in doing so inspires and supports current and future talent.
Regulatory issues:
Some of the issues that regulatory bodies need to consider revolve around the following issues;
OFCOM are charged with regulating the issues relating to who controls the media in the UK, how much one company can own and to enforce whats known as plurality. News Corporation attempting to increase their 39% stake in BSkyB to 100% total control was ruled on by OFCOM and the government and due to the fallout from the News of the World phone hacking scandal, descided against pursuing total control of Sky.
These ownership issues will attempt to ensure that no single or small group of owners can have a monopoly on the media in the UK. News Corporation subsidiary News Limited publish The Sun, The Times and at times come close to controlling more than 20% of total UK newspaper circulation, which is against Monopoly and ownership laws as set out by media regulators.
Freedom of Information
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.
Censorship
Censorship in the United Kingdom has a long history with variously stringent and lax laws in place at different times. Censorship of motion pictures, video games and Internet sites hosted in the United Kingdom are considered to be among the strictest in the European Union, the strictest being Germany.
A number of industries carry out what is known as self-regulation. Self-regulation seeks to keep content within the bounds of what is publicly acceptable, thus preventing government intervention to bring about official regulation. Some of the areas they are concerned about include obscenity, slander and libel. There is no clear line between self-regulation in matters of expression and self-censorship. Industry self-regulatory bodies include the Advertising Standards Authority and the Press Complaints Commission.
Internet
British Telecommunications ISP passes internet traffic through a service called Cleanfeed which uses data provided by the Internet Watch Foundation to identify pages judged to contain indecent photographs of children. When such a page is found, the system creates a 'URL not found page' error rather than deliver the actual page or a warning page. Other ISPs use different systems such as WebMinder
Radio
Censorship of music on the airwaves was in effect the power of the BBC. Some songs were banned for containing sexually explicit lyrics, or promoting the use of drugs. Some songs were banned for political reasons such as Paul McCartney and Wings song Give Ireland Back to the Irish in the 1970s, or in the 1980s Christy Moore's, Back home in Derry since it was written by Bobby Sands.
Taste and decency
Is an area of regulation that will never be without controversy as peoples views on what is considered in good taste or indecent vary. For this reason Regulating bodies must produce guidelines on what the generally considered moral majority consider tasteful.
