The British Board of Classification (BBFC) was established in 1912 by the film industry to enforce order to film classification. This was in response to the 1909 Cinematograph Act, which gave authorities power to enforce cinema licensing laws. The BBFC regulates films, videos, DVDs, video games and advertisements. It is funded through fees charged to submit works for classification. It must abide by legislation including the Video Recordings Act, Human Rights Act, and various Obscene Publications and Criminal Justice Acts. The classification process involves departments that research, view, and classify submitted works. Consumer advice provides descriptions of content to inform classification decisions. Over time, legislation has aimed to regulate what audiences can view as social acceptability has changed between

1. BBFC

2. When was the BBFC established- for
what reason?
The British Board of Classification was
established in 1912, it was designed by the film
industry to enforce order to the film
classification. This was because of the
Cinematographers Act in 1909, which was when
Police and other Authorities had the power to
enforce laws about the licenses for cinemas in
that area.

3. What media forms do they regulate?
The BBFC regulates: films, videos, DVDs and
certain video games, advertisements and trailers
under the Video Recordings Act (1984).

4. How are they funded?
BBFC is a non-governmental body; funded
through the fees it charges to those who submit
films and video works for classification.

5. What legislation do they have to abide
by?
• Video Recording Act (1984)
• The Human Rights Act (1998)
• The Obscene Publications Acts (1959 and 1964)
• The Protection of Children Act (1978)
• The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act (2008)
• The Public Order Act (1986)
• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act (1937)
• The Animal Welfare Act (2006)
• Coroners and Justice Act (2009)

6. What is the process of classification?
Classical departments to help make the classification process work:
• Information Services
• Technical / Archive
• Information Systems
• Accounts
• Facilities
Films that are given to the BBFC are put through their system at the reception by the
Facilities department. The Information Services department takes on the task of any
research that needs to be done for a work, which is when the Technical department
times the DVD and checks the quality of the disc. The Projectionist measures the
duration of the film, during a viewing. The Information System department measures
video games and are responsible for the internal information, including its website.
The distributer then gets a bill, which they have to pay for to the Accounts
department. A schedule is devised which has all incoming DVDs that the BBFC needs
to check. Information Services also handle all customer queries and ensure that they
are informed of our classification decisions.
The Archive department maintains an archive of every single video and DVD work that
has been submitted to the Board, as this is a legal requirement.

7. What is Consumer Advice?
Consumer Advice is a brief description of the content which determined the
classification of a film, DVD or video game. As well as noting particular
issues such as violence, sex, language, drugs or any other matters likely to
be of concern, it can also highlight themes, such as suicide, or contexts,
such as comedy or fantasy, which can influence the strength of the
material. At the junior categories Consumer Advice can also warn of
behaviour which may be potentially harmful if copied, or highlight
content, such as characters in dangerous situations, which might frighten
or upset younger viewers.

8. Create a timeline: give a historical perspective on legislation-
what has been acceptable in which eras? Give examples..
Cinematograph Act 1909 1960’s 1970’s 1980’s
Cinematograph Act 1952
1990’s 2000-
Cinematograph Act 1982
Within each era a new film came out that was arguably respectable for that year.
However, many world argue that the films that came on our screens and in the cinemas
were perhaps ones that audiences weren’t ready for. Although some would say that
the audience need get ready for scarier, nastier, sexual movies because that’s what we
see now a days; but around the 1900’s people were desensitized to violence and sex.
Each legislation was put in place, to help regulate what people see, for example; Snow
White is a movie that pretty much anyone can watch, compared to something like James
Bond, which promotes; sex and violence, only 50/60 years later. To regulate who watches
it, of what ages and where, to try and stop young children watching things that they don’t
need to see. From the 1990’s to the 2000’s people have become less interested about
what their children watch, which is why children are liable to go behind their parents back
and watch things that aren’t regulated to their age; which is why the internet is such a
dangerous place for young people.