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Adam Grundy
Unit 2 Task 1 Be able to extract information from written
sources
Unit 7 Task 3 Understanding the regulation of the media
sector
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Be able to extract information from written
sources
Written sources: e.g. books, journals,
websites, magazines, newspapers, handouts
Reading: with concentration; skim-reading:
scanning; using index; using word search;
using phrase search
Extract information: e.g. write notes,
summarise, highlight text, annotate document,
underline passages,
3. British BBooaarrdd ooff FFiillmm CCllaassssiiffiiccaattiioonn
((BBBBFFCC))
In order to keep the British movie industry under control and to stop the release of
racist or obscene films. Then came the The British board of Film Classification, they are
a non-government controlled organization that are not organized for profit. They are
the ones responsible clarifying what film gets which age rating. They age ratings are;
U, PG, 12A and 12, 15, 18 and R18. For them to choose a specific age rating for a film.
Depending on what the film includes (EG: sex, violence, bad language) can affect the
film on what age rating it classifies as. If a film gets denied due to being to obscene
then the BBFC would suggest that they do enough cuts and editing to turn the film into
a suitable age classification, for example this is what happened with the human
centipede two. It was considered to wrong and horrific to be passed as a film so it was
denied. When they went back to the BBFC they told them to do specific cuts and edits
and at the end of it, it finally came out as a viewable rating of 18. The obscene
publications act came into place before it was published and after it was greenlit, it was
deemed acceptable for the public viewing. The BBFC follow certain regulations, for
example their labeling regulation where the specific age rating (For example the U
rating) number/letter can be no smaller than 5mm in size on the case and no less than
2mm on the disk and on the case it must be visible on all sides.
4. The BVA was established in 1980 and it was set up to represent the interests of
publishers and rights of pre-recorded video entertainment. The BVA’s members
account for some 90% of the £2.6 billion video entertainment sector, which includes
television companies and independent labels which distribute video content. Their
members represent the video divisions of major film and television companies, as well
as independent video publishers.The BBFC is at the epicenter of the video industry as
They work alongside with associated organizations. Such as FACT (Federation against
Copyright Theft) has continually targeted those that seek to acquire copyright-infringing
content at cinemas. Despite the ever-increasing use and speed of the
internet within the UK and the availability of copyright-infringing digital content online,
a market still exists for the sale of illegal hard copies. For years the BVA have been
working with hardware, software, service providers and retail sectors to promote the
concept of the authorised domain as opposed to the illegal file-sharing and streaming
services which are a threat to the film industry, because there are a lot of websites
that allow movie streaming by breaking copyright and not their right to do so. This is a
growing problem but people continue to do so which makes problems for the industry,
financially wise and legally wise. The laws that link to the BVA relate to any film that
gets released, like it has to have a certificate and cannot be copied.
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5. The FDA (Film Distributors Association) established in London 1915, The FDA liaises
and works with many individuals, companies and organisations. They represent the
distribution of video content throughout the media industry and they are a founding
member of All Industry Marketing for Cinema (AIM), a generic marketing body which
works to increase and broaden the UK cinema audience across the board. Their main
issue is with Online piracy since it is an on going and seems like an unbeatable
problem. Piracy has affected most of the media industry and the film industry is no
difference due to online file sharing and streaming. Piracy breaks copyright
infringement as it is shared without the content producers authorisation. Though along
with FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) they have made in recent years have
made a measurable difference to cut down film theft in UK cinemas. Their main area is
to make sure that all films are distributed equally and fairly and that nobody illegally
shares it.
The FDA is the voice of the people and the movie industry, it lets everyone share the
same opinion that films (And other media content) should be distributed fairly and
properly and that it is in the well-being for thewhole film economy
FFiillmm DDiissttrriibbuuttoorrss AAssssoocciiaattiioonn
6. The VSC is a standard body for the video and game industries and has a Code of
Practice designed to ensure that both industries show a duty of care in their dealings
with customers and the public generally. It was established in 1989 at the request of
the then Home Secretary as a body set up to develop and oversee a Code of Practice
designed to promote high standards within the video and DVD industry. The Code was
subsequently expanded to promote high standards within the video games industry. In
2012 by the UK government the VSC was in charge of all video game age ratings
whereas the BBFC was in control of age ratings of video games. With this new system
it means that anyone who is caught selling a game to game to someone lower than the
age rating could face jail. The VSC will now rate games to Pegi's specifications while
enforcing compliance among retailers though this new system doesn’t affect online
purchases. While the BBFC will now largely stop assessing content in games, it will still
be called upon to judge games with gross violence or sexual material. The VSC follow
the Video Recordings Act 1984 and are age rated by the relevant age rating authority
unless any such video entertainment product or video game is exempt from any legally
enforceable age rating process.
VViiddeeoo SSttaannddaarrddss CCoouunncciill ((VVSSCC))
7. Ofcom was established by the Office of Communications Act 2002 (the
'Ofcom Act'). It is ofcom’s job to an eye on the UK's telecoms, television,
radio and postal industries to make sure that the they are suitable for the
public viewing. They still stick to the same laws as any other Association.
Ofcom are responsible for making sure talent shows tell the public that after
a competition is closed, that they have to tell them that if they continue to
phone in that they would be charged. Many shows have made the mistake
and not showed this as it is a requirement and were sued due for this. This
doesn’t have to be in big letters, it can be in very small letters and as long
as it is viewable, it counts and the program will not be prosecuted. Ofcom
are the ones who are in charge of all TV stations throughout wales and
England. An area of the Ofcom website seemingly intended for members of
the public to submit questions to Ofcom does not actually provide this
service. Rather, it provides a list of suggested questions in the style of
an FAQ. Ofcom want to make sure the TV stations are following the rules so
they don’t abuse their rights or even their customers. Its non-governmental
so if the government was in control they could say what can be shown and
what cannot be, which denies the free speech act of 1968.
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8. The Advertising Standards Authority or better know as ASA was established
in 1964 and is a UK based organization who’s purpose is to make every
advertisement in the country is a responsible advert and that it follows their
rules and regulations. This advert is non governmental so the government
cannot be biased against certain ads. They follow certain rules to make sure
the advert passes as a reasonable and responsible advert. Their work led to
3,700 ads being changed or withdrawn. The UK Advertising Codes are
written by two industry committees: the Committee of Advertising Practice
writes the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising, Sales Promotion and
Direct Marketing and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice
(BCAP) writes the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising. This also stops the
company being biased against anyone who tries to bribe the company to let
the advertisement pass. In 2004, The office of communication contracted
day-to-day responsibilities for regulating TV and Radio adverts to the ASA
and this for the first time giving the public and advertisers a single regulator
for advertising.
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9. The trading standards institute is the group where anything sold is actually to the
quality of what they say it is, and if it isn’t then the TSC can get you done for selling
something for less than its worth. For example when somebody sells an iPhone on
eBay and when it arrives it turns out to be fake. It means this it has to be of the
quality of what it is selling. This applies within the media with online piracy of music,
films, shows and games. Their aim is to provide advice and support to those who are
shopping cross-border within the internal market and act when necessary. Though they
are not part of the government, they do work with them and stakeholders. They said
they do not work for individual complaints as they said it’s the Citizens Advice
Consumer Advice line and your local authority trading standards service job to sort
your complaints. So this tells us that this specific organisation works for the big
companies (And businesses with their problems) to deal with the biggest illegal trading
problem, piracy. As said before they work along with the Trade Descriptions Act 1968,
which says selling a product, it must be to the value of what you're selling it at, If a
seller says they are selling a genuine iPhone and it turns out to be fake, it means that
they are breaking the law.
TTrraaddiinngg SSttaannddaarrddss CCeennttrraall
10. The press Complaints commission, Started in 1953 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. After the news of the world phone hacking scandal that was
taking place for multiple years, David Cameron and Many Other MP’s called for It to be
replaced entirely with a brand new body, the new body being Independent Press
Standards Organization. The PCC have a code of practice that they expect newspapers
to follow though the Commission does not impose financial penalties on newspapers
found to have broken the Code, which proved it was faulty.
PPrreessss CCoommppllaaiinnttss
CCoommmmiissssiioonn ((PPCCCC))