1. Regulatory and professional bodies
within the Creative Media Sector
Name: Carla Appleby
Unit 2 Task 1 Be able to extract information from written
sources
Unit 7 Task 3 Understanding the regulation of the media
sector

2. Task 1: Be able to extract
information from written sources
Be able to extract information from written
sources
Written sources: e.g. books, journals, websites,
magazines, newspapers, hand outs.
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 Board of Film
Classification (BBFC)
In order to protect children from unsuitable and also harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers
information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC
examines and age rates films and videos before they are released.
They watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one. They reach an
age rating by applying the standards and criteria contained in the Classification Guidelines which can be
downloaded below. Two examiners view a film for theatrical release. But if the Examiners are in any doubt or fail
to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the work may be seen by other members of the Board up to,
and including, the Director and Presidential team. The same process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays though
generally these are seen by one Examiner. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for more
difficult works.
The BBFC look at things such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour,
language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions. They also consider context, the tone and likely
impact of a work on the potential audience. The decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can
occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of underage viewing in the home and a
greater potential for watching scenes out of context. -
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/how-does-classification-work

4. British Video Association
The BVA produces the industry yearbook which is packed with statistics and consumer behaviour data.
The BVA continuously reviews the members research needs and provides monthly and quarterly reports covering
all areas of the video entertainment market, including digital and retail as well as Blu-ray Disc and DVD retail
sales; the BVA also provides regular updates on the hardware market. -
http://www.bva.org.uk/about-us/our-research/
The BVA accounts for some 90% of the £2.6 billion video entertainment sector of the UK’s audiovisual industry.
Members represent the video divisions of major film and television companies, as well as independent video
publishers who are predominantly owners of UK only distribution rights to works for home entertainment. -
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/ipreview-c4e-sub-bva.pdf

5. 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. - http://www.launchingfilms.com/about-us
As the trade body championing the generic interests of theatrical distributors, FDA has a constantly evolving
strategy to make it as hard as possible for film theft to originate and propagate in the UK. It is estimated that the
audio-visual sector loses around £0.5 billion a year to all forms of copyright theft (digital and physical).
The UK is one of the world's leading markets for filmed entertainment. UK cinemas, which show English-
language prints increasingly released day & date or UK-first, are particularly vulnerable to camcording.
FDA's local programme to deter camcording and piracy enjoys widespread support and co-operation.
The FDA in recent years made a substantial and measurable difference to reducing film theft via recordings in UK
cinemas. - http://www.launchingfilms.com/safeguard-film

6. Video Standards Council
(VSC)
The VSC is a non-profit making company established in 1989 in response to Government concerns about the
video industry.
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. All sectors of the video and
games industries and other non-business organisations (libraries, universities) who may sell, rent or loan out
audio-visual media are invited to become members of the Code of Practice.
The VSC supports the anti-piracy activities of the Federation Against Copyright Theft -
http://www.videostandards.org.uk/VSC/what.html

7. Office for Communication
(Ofcom)
Ofcom are the communications regulator. They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles,
postal services, 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 a number of Acts of Parliament, including in particular the Communications Act 2003.
Ofcom must act within the powers and duties set for it by Parliament in legislation.
Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks, and grant-in-
aid from the Government. - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/what-is-ofcom/

8. Trading Standards Central
Trading standards professionals enforce consumer related legislation, legislation which is vast and constantly
evolving and changing. TSC work with the government and stakeholders to ensure that the rules and regulations
are followed.
TSC and their lead officers influence by:
working with the Government and stakeholders,
responding to consultations with our expertise and front line knowledge,
campaigning on issues raised on behalf of consumers and business. -
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/policy/index.cfm
In Parliament
TSC works in parliament to represent members at a national level and raise awareness of the profession.
Current priorities include the passage of the Consumer Rights Bill through parliament and making members
aware of cuts to consumer protection as demonstrated by the Trading Standards Workforce Survey. -
http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/policy/parliament.cfm

9. 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, framed within the terms of the Editors' Code of Practice, about the editorial
content of newspapers and magazines and the conduct of journalists. It can also assist individuals by
representing their interests to editors in advance of an article about them being published.
The purpose of the PCC is to serve the public by holding editors to account. They protect the rights of
individuals, while at the same time preserving appropriate freedom of expression for the press. They proactively
advertise their services and reach out to people who may be in need of our help. They aim to promote high
standards by developing clear guidance and practical principles through their rulings, and offering training and
advice to editors and journalists. - http://www.pcc.org.uk/AboutthePCC/WhatisthePCC.html

10. 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. The ASA’s ambition is to make every UK ad a responsible ad. The ASA’s system is a mixture of
self-regulation for non-broadcast advertising and co-regulation for broadcast advertising. UK advertising
regulation operates independently of both Government and the industry. - http://www.asa.org.uk/About-
ASA.aspx
The ASA is funded by advertisers through an arm’s length arrangement that guarantees the ASA’s independence.
They receive no Government funding and therefore their work is free to the tax payer. -
http://www.asa.org.uk/About-ASA/Funding.aspx