This document discusses the effectiveness of various media regulators in the UK, including OFCOM, BBFC, PEGI, and PCC/IPSO. It provides arguments for and against their effectiveness based on factors like their ability to protect vulnerable groups, enforce codes of conduct, regulate new technologies and formats, and adapt to social changes over time. Overall it examines whether these bodies are adequately fulfilling their aims of regulating media content and business practices while balancing freedom of expression.

1. CTK – A2 Media: Unit G325 Critical Perspectives In Media: Contemporary Media Regulation
Effectiveness YES or NO - Media Regulation:
You must consider: New technologies – Social Changes – Legislations/Laws
 The main discussion on effectiveness of a regulation body is whether or not they protects vulnerable members of society from being misled or being exposed to
inappropriate content.
 Does the body protect audiences from being exploited through illegal or dishonest business practices?
 Does the body protect small media companies to ensure they can also compete in the marketplace?
 Accountability – how does the body support parents/guardians with their responsibility to protect vulnerable people?
OFCOM
Effectiveness
YES NO
OFCOM ‘name and shame’ offending broadcasters who do not follow their code of
conduct. They also make stations serve apologies to the public or give warnings.
OFCOM as a reactive body gives a lot of artistic and creative freedom, but the
content can be inappropriately shown to the public before action takes place.
OFCOM have the power to fine anyone/company/business that goes against their
‘Broadcasting Code’ which is set by law.
OFCOM also find it difficult to regulate effectively due to the growth of live/reality
TV shows. This is mainly due to being a re-active body.
OFCOM introduced the ‘Watershed’ which protects young children from possible
harmful content (violence, bad language, sexual content etc.) before 9pm.
OFCOM can do nothing if a parent or older friend allows a younger audience
member to watch a TV programme that is not age suitable.
OFCOM publish clear guidelines which broadcasters should follow carefully. It is
important that the media take responsibility for the messages they give the public.
OFCOM struggle with internet TV consumption, as they cannot regulate vulnerable
members of society watching on demand TV shown after the watershed.
OFCOM aims to protect vulnerable members of society from social harm and from
being exploited through the airwaves.
OFCOM attempts to protect the people, but the free nature of the internet
undermines them as banned TV shows/clips can always be found on the internet.
OFCOM’s legislation requires them to abide by laws more efficiently than self-
regulated ones. This could result in fewer complaints and a happier public.
OFCOM have been accused of not being strict enough with broadcasters that break
their code of conduct. Generally only issuing warnings.
OFCOM has helped to support parents in protecting their children by setting up
‘Parent Port’ where they can seek advice on monitoring what children consume.
OFCOM could lose control over regulation due to power figures such as Rupert
Murdoch (taking over BSKYB) as certain ownerships become extremely powerful.
OFCOM make sure that the media does not engage in dodgy business practices,
and that the content of programmes is accurate and not misleading.
OFCOM & their codes can be deliberately broken by broadcasters as this will result
in more press coverage/greater publicity. Is there such a thing as bad publicity?
OFCOM regulate product placement, to ensure that the public are fully aware when
corporate businesses are trying to sell them a product.

2. CTK – A2 Media: Unit G325 Critical Perspectives In Media: Contemporary Media Regulation
BBFC
Effectiveness
YES NO
BBFC are very effective in monitoring content (Pro-active) and giving age ratings to
protect the general public from any harmful or offensive material, and reduces any
chance of influencing the vulnerable.
BBFC struggles with the free nature of the internet as it undermines their code of
conduct as a regulatory body (The majority of banned/cut films can be easily found
online – which has loose age restriction guidelines in place or none at all).
BBFC are effective because they have changed their standards in accordance with
social and cultural changes.
The BBFC cannot anticipate fake id’s being shown at cinemas, or shops selling to
underage children.
BBFC introduced the 12A,which gave power back to the parents of the vulnerable,
allowing them to decide whether their child is mature enough for the films content.
BBFC age certificates treat everyone the same, not taking in to consideration
different levels of maturity, limiting parental accountability.
BBFC were the first body to introduce age certificates for the ever-growing video
game industry (currently regulated by PEGI).
BBFC as a self-regulated body could prevent people from taking individual
responsibility for their actions.
BBFC embraced the ‘Licensing Act’ and the ‘Video Recordings Act’ to ensure home
film viewing was still effectively regulated.
BBFC have been heavily influenced by desensitisation, having to re-classify past
films and being made to be more flexible with extreme content (Ratings creep).
BBFC set up the PBBFC to show support of parents and help guide them in dealing
with controversial content.
BBFC place as an organisation is at threat, due to the struggles of regulating online
film viewing. This is mainly due to illegal downloading and sharing content.
BBFC protects filmmakers from prosecution by ensuring that filmmakers do not
break any laws when making a cinematic piece.
BBFC have not banned a film for almost three years. This could demonstrate a
changing in society where they become redundant as a body.
BBFC do all that they can to protect audiences by acknowledging principals of
context, time and format.
BBFC regularly consult the public to grasp current attitudes towards swearing, sex,
and violence. Assessing the effects of desensitisation.
BBFC (although pro-active) can also be re-active if they receive complaints about a
classified film upon its release. This is very effective in dealing with all scenarios.
BBFC aims to support filmmakers through respecting and considering any appeals
process. The BBFC also always aim to get a film released through classification.
BBFC have the power to cut or ban film releases. This ensures that they protect the
filmmakers as well as the public.
BBFC are able to adapt with societies demands by adjusting film classifications if
required over a period of time (Ratings creep). They are versatile body.

3. CTK – A2 Media: Unit G325 Critical Perspectives In Media: Contemporary Media Regulation
PEGI - Effectiveness
YES NO
PEGI have a range of age certificates that allow them to specifically target certain
age groups with their game content.
PEGI does not educated parents enough, due to the majority of them mistaking age
certificates as difficulty ratings, and not content warnings.
PEGI have ‘descriptors’ for a range of possible offences (drugs, violence,
discrimination, sex etc.) to help parents understand what their children are playing.
PEGI can do nothing if a parent or older friend purchases and allows a younger
audience member to play a video game that is not age suitable.
PEGI are a pro-active body which inspects all game content before classification
and release. This protects the general public from any harmful or offensive
material, and reduces any chance of influencing the vulnerable.
PEGI struggle due to the interactive content of video games. Consumers control
decisions and actions in a game, which can lead to an audience being influenced to
rein act such events (copycat theory).
PEGI have never banned a video game. This could demonstrate a changing in
society where they adapt effectively.
PEGI have never banned a video game. This could demonstrate a changing in
society where they become redundant as a body.
PEGI have the power to cut or ban gaming releases. This ensures that they protect
the game manufacturers as well as the public.
PEGI have been heavily influenced by desensitisation, having to allow more
controversial content in their video games.
PEGI online protects children from playing game content that is inappropriate for
their age, such as swearing, violence or drug taking- through age certificates.
PEGI make generalised decisions for everyone, without considering the public as
individuals (e.g. suggesting all 16 year olds have the same maturity levels).
PEGI as a self-regulated body could prevent people from taking individual
responsibility for their actions.
PCC/IPSO - Effectiveness
YES NO
PCC is predominantly made up of newspaper editors, who are therefore best placed
and experienced to know how to regulate the UK’s press the best it can.
PCC is funded by newspapers and run by editors – the very people the body was set
up to regulate. Therefore there is no objectivity in how the PCC operates.
PCC has its own code of conduct, and made it public access. This is good
communication by the PCC, ensuring that there are no cover ups.
PCC has been accused of ‘being in bed’ with politicians, with their relationships
being too close. Goes against the Fourth Estate.
PCC aim to print the truth, and will publish apologies if necessary. PCC had good intentions, but they failed to deliver the type of regulation they
promised (Phone Hacking Scandal). Unethical practice.
PCC as a self-regulated body ensures that we protect ‘freedom of speech’. If the
body became statutory regulated we would lose our press rights as a democracy.
PCC have been accused of sensationalising stories in order to sell newspapers. This
has impacted on the personal wellbeing of the public.
PCC enables them to be the Fourth Estate, bridging the gap between the judiciary,
politicians, and the Royal family and the public. The PCC are in place to ensure that
these three powers to do not abuse their position of authority.
PCC are undermined by legal super injunctions which stop their ability to act as a
fourth estate, which means that people with lots of money and power can make
use of laws outside of the regulation process to keep personal indiscretions secret.
PCC effectiveness is made difficult due to; different opinions, sensitivity, decency
etc. They cannot please everyone. How can they possibly regulate an opinion?