- The document discusses media regulation in the UK, focusing on key case studies involving the regulation of content concerning children. These include cases involving the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) and the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). - It outlines some topics that will be covered in more depth, such as the arguments around statutory versus self-regulation, the role of regulatory bodies like the BBFC and PCC, and how regulation has evolved over time. - Protecting children from inappropriate content is identified as a central theme that will be explored through examples of rulings from different regulatory organizations regarding movies, television, video games and advertising.

2. Media Regulation, 2015Media Regulation, 2015
examexam Press/film main casePress/film main case
studies (PCC v BBFC)studies (PCC v BBFC)
 Protection of children keyProtection of children key
theme for selected maintheme for selected main
case studiescase studies
 Briefer comparisons withBriefer comparisons with
ASA, PEGI, OfCom/BBCASA, PEGI, OfCom/BBC
 Some basic comparisonsSome basic comparisons
with non-UK egs for widerwith non-UK egs for wider
context (MPAA etc)context (MPAA etc)
 Comparison of self- vComparison of self- v
statutory reg’nstatutory reg’n
 Democratic/culturalDemocratic/cultural
issuesissues
 THEORY! Moral panic linksTHEORY! Moral panic links
press + BBFC (with theme ofpress + BBFC (with theme of
children)children)
 Audience + effectsAudience + effects
 Chomsky, Petley, Barker etcChomsky, Petley, Barker etc

3. UseUse mediareg.blogspot.co.uk/mediareg.blogspot.co.uk/
 Huge range of material,Huge range of material,
including exam topicincluding exam topic
guides + many links lists,guides + many links lists,
you can/should startyou can/should start
dipping into NOWdipping into NOW
 More will be addedMore will be added
between now and exam,between now and exam,
espec. on BBFCespec. on BBFC
 Write the address downWrite the address down
 Go online now + makeGo online now + make
sure you’re following thissure you’re following this
blogblog
 Note one fact about pressNote one fact about press
reg from this blogreg from this blog
+ guardian.co.uk/media/

4. Other resources/reading ahead
 Some of these are on the
mediareg blog, but if you want
detailed packs on the press,
with material on TV reg too,
email a request and I’ll send
some
 For 2015 I’m stripping down the
facts + themes to a more
manageable load
 There are books specifically on
the BBFC; moral panics (a key
theory which links press + film
with audience theory); and
press (Curran + Seaton’s Power
Without Responsibility)
 At 23 pages, I won’t print
off such previous guides,
but will produce one
overall exam pack for
printing

5. Exam board descriptionExam board description
 Candidates … understanding must combine knowledge of at
least two media and a range of texts, industries,
audiences and debates, but these are to be selected by
the centre / candidate. The assessment of the response will
be generic, allowing for the broadest possible range of
responses within the topic area chosen. Each topic is
accompanied by four prompt questions, and
candidates must be prepared to answer an exam
question that relates to one or more of these four
prompts. There should be emphasis on the historical, the
contemporary and the future in relation to the chosen topic,
with most attention on the present. Centres are thus
advised to ensure that study materials for this unit are up to
date and relevant.

6. The 4 Prompt QsThe 4 Prompt Qs
What is the nature of contemporary media
regulation compared with previous practices?
What are the arguments for and against
specific forms* of contemporary media
regulation? *especially statutory v self-regulation; powers; funding
How effective are regulatory practices?
What are the wider social issues** relating to
media regulation?
**Eg right to privacy, right to offend/freedom of speech, social representation +
discrimination (influencing social attitudes), diversity/pluralism (different
views/ideologies represented; balance between left-/right-wing voices?)
democracy (informing citizenry, holding politicians and powerful to account)
Protection of children will be the core example/theme we’ll focus on

7. MarkschemeMarkscheme
 This is constant through both AS and A2 exams: eachThis is constant through both AS and A2 exams: each
exam section marked /50, broken down asexam section marked /50, broken down as
 Explanation, Analysis, Argument (20/50)Explanation, Analysis, Argument (20/50)
 Use of Examples (20/50)Use of Examples (20/50)
 Use of Terminology (10/50)Use of Terminology (10/50)
 Examples are primarily case studies of rulings by theExamples are primarily case studies of rulings by the
regulator; there is a range of terminology/conceptsregulator; there is a range of terminology/concepts
drawn from disciplines such as Economics, Politics,drawn from disciplines such as Economics, Politics,
Sociology & Philosophy. Some of this overlaps with yourSociology & Philosophy. Some of this overlaps with your
learning on the film industry – ownership is a key issuelearning on the film industry – ownership is a key issue
 There are some useful overlaps with exam Q1a/1b too:There are some useful overlaps with exam Q1a/1b too:
audience theory, web 2.0, Chomsky, hegemony, etcaudience theory, web 2.0, Chomsky, hegemony, etc

8. Examples of past exam QsExamples of past exam Qs
 “We need stricter media regulation.” Discuss.
 To what extent is it becoming more difficult to regulate
media, and why?
 How effectively can contemporary media be regulated?
 How far do changes to the regulation of media reflect
broader social changes?
 To what extent are contemporary media regulated
adequately?
 Why is the regulation of media so complex?
 Evaluate the arguments for and against stronger
regulation of the media.
 To what extent can media be regulated in the digital
age?

9. Some wider topics we’ll explore (1)Some wider topics we’ll explore (1)
 As well as issues round children, we’ll look at:As well as issues round children, we’ll look at:
 FORMS OF REGULATION + POWERS: statutory v self-FORMS OF REGULATION + POWERS: statutory v self-
regulation, + how quangos are a grey area; licensing +regulation, + how quangos are a grey area; licensing +
fines v corrections v classification (market penalty)fines v corrections v classification (market penalty)
 FUNDING: levy/fees v gov grant; impact on OfCom + BBCFUNDING: levy/fees v gov grant; impact on OfCom + BBC
 ROLE OF CONGLOMERATES + CONCENTRATION OFROLE OF CONGLOMERATES + CONCENTRATION OF
OWNERSHIP: BBFC biased? PCC a Murdoch/Mail puppy,OWNERSHIP: BBFC biased? PCC a Murdoch/Mail puppy,
not watchdog?not watchdog?
 DEDEREGULATION: ‘consolidation’ permitted; BBFC + PCCREGULATION: ‘consolidation’ permitted; BBFC + PCC
do not consider market conditions – should they?do not consider market conditions – should they?
 POLITICAL/GOV. INFLUENCE: Julian Petley claimsPOLITICAL/GOV. INFLUENCE: Julian Petley claims
BBFC is invisible (hegemony) hand of gov.; role ofBBFC is invisible (hegemony) hand of gov.; role of
appointment powerappointment power

10. Some wider topics we’ll explore (2)Some wider topics we’ll explore (2)
 HISTORY + EVOLUTION: GCP, PC, PCC … IPSO; BBFCHISTORY + EVOLUTION: GCP, PC, PCC … IPSO; BBFC
‘Censorship’ to ‘Classification’; ITA to IBA to ITC to OfCom‘Censorship’ to ‘Classification’; ITA to IBA to ITC to OfCom
(+BBC); specific changes to codes/rules(+BBC); specific changes to codes/rules
 CENSORSHIP + MORAL PANICS: Contrast press venomCENSORSHIP + MORAL PANICS: Contrast press venom
over ‘anti-democratic’ Leveson with moral panics; does UKover ‘anti-democratic’ Leveson with moral panics; does UK
need defined right to free speech, like US?need defined right to free speech, like US?
 DEMOCRACY + CULTURE: Right-wing press; Indies’DEMOCRACY + CULTURE: Right-wing press; Indies’
more diverse/accurate cultural representationsmore diverse/accurate cultural representations
marginalised by BBFC ratings (S.16/TisEng v N.Hill etc)marginalised by BBFC ratings (S.16/TisEng v N.Hill etc)
 EU INFLUENCEEU INFLUENCE
 IMPACT OF WIDER LAWS: Obscene Publications Act;IMPACT OF WIDER LAWS: Obscene Publications Act;
defamation lawsdefamation laws
 CHALLENGE OF DIGITISATION: collapsing pressCHALLENGE OF DIGITISATION: collapsing press
circulation + convergence; watershed/ratings pointless?

11. The KEY theme: childrenThe KEY theme: children
 BBFC/PCC rules and rulings the key, but BRIEFBBFC/PCC rules and rulings the key, but BRIEF
comparisons with others for wider context;comparisons with others for wider context; egeg::
 PCC: Milly Dowler/NoTW hacking; page 3PCC: Milly Dowler/NoTW hacking; page 3
 BBFC: Dark Knight v Sweet 16; copycat/effects modelsBBFC: Dark Knight v Sweet 16; copycat/effects models
 OfCom: X Factor finals, ‘family audience’ + watershedOfCom: X Factor finals, ‘family audience’ + watershed
 OfCom + BBFC: music videos + watershed/ratingsOfCom + BBFC: music videos + watershed/ratings
 PEGI: copycat – GTA etcPEGI: copycat – GTA etc
 ASA: charities (Bernardo’s, NSPCC) hard-hitting ads +ASA: charities (Bernardo’s, NSPCC) hard-hitting ads +
junk food brands (Tango, Irn Bru)junk food brands (Tango, Irn Bru)

12. The KEY theme: childrenThe KEY theme: children
 I’ll incorporate some details from these into your pack, butI’ll incorporate some details from these into your pack, but
you can access 2 lengthy packs on press/TV rulings onyou can access 2 lengthy packs on press/TV rulings on
children NOW if you wish (62 slide Ppt, 15pg Word doc)children NOW if you wish (62 slide Ppt, 15pg Word doc)