1. Regulatory and professional bodies
within the Creative Media Sector
By Oliver Toone
Task 3 Understand the regulation of the media sector

2. British Board of Film
Classification (BBFC)
The BBFC classifies films, videos/DVDs and some video games, advertisements and
trailers according to its Classification Guidelines, with ratings ranging from ‘U’ for
Universal to ‘R18’.
All classification decisions are based on our regularly updated Guidelines, which are
the product of extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated
experience of the BBFC over many years.
Everyone is welcome to take part in the Guidelines consultation, which takes place
every four years.
In the most recent consultation, we sought the views of over 8,700 members of the
public on classification – including issues such as language, discrimination, violence,
sex and drugs in films, DVDs and video games, parental concerns about younger
viewers and recent BBFC decisions. The Guidelines also take into account the
various UK laws the BBFC must apply when making classification decisions.
The BBFC also commissions research into particular classification issues (such as
the portrayal of suicide in films or the public’s attitudes to discriminatory language)
which inform BBFC policy. http://www.parentport.org.uk/find-out-more/bbfc

3. British Video Association
The BVA was established 30 years ago to represent the interests of
publishers and rights owners of pre-recorded video entertainment.
Today, around 8,000 titles are released every year in the UK, on
DVD, Blu-ray Discs and 3D Blu-ray Discs through to Digital TV-
based and web-based internet services, available to rent or to own
on portable devices and for home consumption.
Video entertainment is critical for the cultural and economic
success of the UK's audio-visual sector and, in a world of evolving
technology and new opportunities, the British Video Association's
primary role is to help maintain a business environment with the
least regulatory burdens and optimal conditions that enables video's
crucial role in the audio-visual eco-system to continue.
http://www.bva.org.uk/about-us

4. Film Distributors Association
On 15 August 2000, the Film Distributors' Association Ltd (FDA),
formerly the Society of Film Distributors , notified its Standard
Conditions for licensing the commercial exhibition of a film or films,
dated 14 August 1997, to the Director General of Fair Trading for a
decision under Section 14 of the Competition Act 1998. The Office
identified a number of clauses in the notified Standard Conditions that
infringed the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998. The
FDA deleted or suitably amended the offending clauses in the Standard
Conditions. The amended Standard Conditions were approved by the
FDA Council on 6 December 2001 and submitted to the Office on 12
December 2001. They will enter into effect on 1 February 2002.
http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/competition-act-and-
cartels/ca98/decisions/fda

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
designed to promote high standards within the video industry.
The Code has subsequently been expanded to promote high
standards within the computer games industry. Pre-recorded
videos, DVD's and computer games bring entertainment,
pleasure and enjoyment to many millions of people but they
are also a very powerful means of communication. The video
and games industries owe a duty of care to their customers
and the public generally. The VSC will do its utmost to ensure
that this duty is discharged.
http://www.videostandards.org.uk/VSC/

6. Office for Communication
(Ofcom)
The Office of Communications, commonly known
as Ofcom, is the government-approved
regulatory and competition authority for the
broadcasting, telecommunications and postal
industries of the United Kingdom. Ofcom was
initially established by the Office of
Communications Act 2002 and received its full
authority from the Communications Act 2003.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofcom

7. Trading Standards Central
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.
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/extra/ourorganisation.cfm
?frmAlias=/ourorganisation/

8. Press Complaints
Commission (PCC)
The Press Complaints Commission
(PCC) is an independent body set up to
deal with complaints about the editorial
content of newspapers and magazines
(and their websites) and the conduct of
journalists who work for print media.
http://www.parentport.org.uk/find-out-
more/PCC

9. Advertising Standards
Authority(ASA).
The Advertising Standards Authority is the UK’s
independent regulator of advertising across all
media. We apply the Advertising Codes, which
are written by the Committees of Advertising
Practice. Our work includes acting on complaints
and proactively checking the media to take action
against misleading, harmful or offensive
advertisements.
http://www.asa.org.uk/About-ASA.aspx