The document discusses several regulatory and professional bodies within the UK creative media sector, including the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) which classifies films, the British Video Association (BVA) which represents the video industry, the Film Distributors Association (FDA) which supports the UK film industry, the Video Standards Council (VSC) which established a code of practice for videos and games, and Ofcom which regulates TV, radio, telecoms and wireless devices. It also mentions Trading Standards which enforces consumer legislation, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) which regulates the press, and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) which regulates advertising across all media.

1. Regulatory and Professional Bodies
within the Creative Media Sector
Luke Taylor
Task 3 Understand the regulation of the media sector

2. British Board of Film
Classification (BBFC)
The BBFC, is the organisation which gives films their
classifications such as PG, U, 12.
It was set up in 1912.
The BBFC have never accepted funds off the government to
ensure that it stays independent.
The Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984 by Parliament.
It is funded by the film industry.
It is required to classify videos, DVD and games.

3. British Video Association
The BVA was established over 30 years ago.
It was used to represent the interests of publishers and rights
owners of pre-recorded video entertainment.
The BVA's members account for some 90% of this
£2.25billion industry and include film companies, television
companies and independent labels which produce, license and
distribute film, sport and fitness, music video, TV, children's and
special interest programming.
The BVA’s work falls under five different main areas: research,
media relations & marketing, public affairs, industry liaison and
charitable activites.

4. Film Distributors Association
The FDA is the voice of the UK film industry.
They represent a distribution stance in regular representations
to and consultations with the UK Film Council.
They are a the founder member of All Industry Marketing for
Cinema (AIM).
They represent the British Screen Advisory Council (BSAC)
FDA is a substantial supporter of the UK film industry - geared
mainly towards the next generation of filmmakers and
audiences.

5. Video Standards Council
(VSC)
The VSC was established in 1989 as a non-profit making body
set-up to develop and oversee a Code of Practice.
It is designed to promote high standards within the video
industry.
The Code of Practice incorporates the Code of Practice Rules
which are a mixture of the law, proper business practices and
common sense.
It established a Code of Practice designed to promote high
standards within the video industry and to ensure that pre-
recorded videos and DVDs are provided to the public in a
responsible manner.
The Code has subsequently been expanded to promote high
standards within the computer games industry.

6. Office for Communication
(Ofcom)
It is a communications regulator.
They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms,
mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless
devices operate.
Ofcom operates under the Communications Act 2003.
Ofcom is funded by fees from industry.
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 we do.

7. Trading Standards Central
Trading standards professionals enforce consumer related
legislation, legislation which is vast and constantly evolving and
changing.
TSI influences much of that evolution through the work of our
lead officers.
The trading standards work with professionals specialising in
different areas of responsibility.
They are influenced by working with the Government and
stakeholders.
And campaigning on issues raised on behalf of consumers and
business.

8. Press Complaints
Commission (PCC)
The PCC is an independent body which administers the system
of self-regulation for the press.
It does so primarily by dealing with complaints.
The purpose of the PCC is to serve the public by holding editors
to account.
It can also assist individuals by representing their interests to
editors in advance of an article about them being published.
They aim to promote high standards by developing clear
guidance and practical principles through our rulings, and
offering training and advice to editors and journalists.

9. Advertising Standards
Authority(ASA).
The Advertising Standards Authority is the UK’s independent
regulator of advertising across all media.
They apply the Advertising Codes, which are written by the
Committees of Advertising Practice.
Their work includes acting on complaints and proactively
checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or
offensive advertisements.
They investigate and adjudicate on potential breaches of the
Advertising Codes, and monitor compliance with the rules.
Their mission is to ensure that advertising in all media is legal,
decent, honest and truthful, to the benefit of consumers,
business and society.

10. References
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/
http://www.bva.org.uk/
http://www.launchingfilms.com/about-us
http://www.videostandards.org.uk/VSC/
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/
http://www.pcc.org.uk/
http://www.asa.org.uk/