This document discusses the arguments for and against film regulation by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and evaluates the effectiveness of the BBFC. The pros of the BBFC include that it inspects all film content before release and helps parents choose appropriate content for children through age classification certificates. However, critics argue that films are easily accessible online without restrictions and the BBFC cannot prevent underage viewing. The document also provides case studies analyzing how the BBFC classified specific films like Fight Club and Juno.

2. What are the arguments for and against its form of regulation?
For Against
Inspects all film content before classification and release Films are easy to access on the internet. Banned/ cut films
Help parents and guardians with age classification certificate
to help decide what content is suitable for the children
Influenced by desensitisation making them more flexible with
extreme content
It can be re-active as well as pro-active because it receives
complaints and it responds to the complaints
BBFC can do nothing if a parent or older friend purchases the
DVD, and allows a younger audience member to watch the film
that is not age appropriate
They can adjust film classifications over a period of time to
adapt to the society demands
BBFC don’t consider the public as individuals so they don’t think
about how some 12 year olds are more mature than others for
example.
Protects children from seeing inappropriate film content for
their age such as swearing, violence, adult themes.
Prevents parents making their own decisions based on their
own knowledge of their children
BBFC introduced “Parent Port” as an online website used to
educate parents about the film content that their children may
be consuming
Restricts freedom of expression for the directors

3. How effective is the body? (Pros and Cons
plus conclusion)
Pros Cons
Effective how they have age ratings to protect the audience
from offensive material reducing the chance of influencing the
vulnerable
Most banned/cut films can be easily found on the internet and
there are no age restrictions when watching films online
Introduced 12A so the parents can decide what is suitable Could be fake ID’s shown at cinemas and at shops from
underage children
They help the film makers by making sure they don’t break any
laws when making a film
They have to be more flexible with extreme content, some
parents might not agree as they are traditional
They protect the audience by looking at the context and the
time of the film
It is self-regulated and can prevent people from taking
individual responsibility for their actions
They test desensitisation by asking the audience their attitudes
towards violence, strong language and sex being shown in films
The age certificates are for everyone not for individuals-
different maturity levels
They respond to complaints
They can cut or ban film releases

4. • The BBFC's Guidelines at the time for 12A/12 stated 'Moderate
violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be
no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may
be permitted if justified by the context'. When the film was
submitted to the BBFC for advice the key classification issues were:
• the sometimes dark and possibly disturbing tone of the film
• scenes of threat and violence, some involving sympathetic
characters
• sight of injuries and blood
• the use of weapons, knives, by children, and possible imitable
behaviour
There were 43 complaints made to the BBFC by members of the
public about the film’s violence, theme and about the cuts that were
made.
The Hunger Games (2011)

5. Case Study Fight Club (1999)
Concerns under the BBFC Guidelines of the time about the glamorisation of violence and the potential for
encouraging an interest in organised bare-fist fighting. The final decision was taken to require cuts under the
Guidelines of between six and seven seconds to two scenes. The new BBFC Guidelines established the
principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment, within the law, and it was considered
that there was nothing in Fight Club that was in breach of UK law, or felt to be harmful. Fight club includes
sex and nudity, violence and gore, there are smoking scenes and some strong language used.

6. Case Study
Juno is a comedy drama about a streetwise 16 year old girl who gets
pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption.
It was submitted to the BBFC with a PG request. The key classification
issues in the work are infrequent strong language, moderate sex
references and brief sight of a gory scene from an old horror movie The
Wizard Of Gore (rated 18). When making their recommendations
examiners also discussed the film’s tone, likely appeal and audience, and
the treatment of the theme of teenage pregnancy.
Some criticism of the film had suggested it might advertise teen
pregnancy, but the BBFC took the view that the film’s treatment of an
important theme was ‘suitable for young teenagers’ as it presented Juno’s
pregnancy and its effects on her relationships realistically.
Juno (2008)