The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) regulates films and videos in the UK to ensure they are suitable for different age groups. It was established in 1912 and operates independently of the government. The BBFC uses a rating system of U, PG, 12/12A, 15, 18, and R18 to help the public make informed choices about what they watch. PEGI (Pan European Game Information) regulates video games in Europe and uses a similar age rating system of 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+ to provide guidance to consumers about game content. Both organizations aim to balance protecting viewers from potentially harmful content with respecting adult freedom of choice.

1. BBFC and PEGI
By Emma Riley

2. BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
BBFC is an independent, not for profit and non-governmental body. It was set
up in 1912 by the film industry. They regulate film/DVDs and videos to
prevent people from buying or watching films which are not suitable for
them. The public concerns for the BBFC are the concern over the issues in
films and games such as racism.
Also the portrayal of anti-social behaviour, drug use and knife crime in films.
Its income is from the fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring
the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. Between 1912
– 1949 the BBFC did not have any written rules or code of practice, since 2000
the BBFC has operated under a series of published guidelines. These
Guidelines are flexible and stress the importance of taking into consideration
the context of each individual work and are reviewed on a regular basis.
The main changes to the category system were the raising of the minimum
age for ‘X’ certificate films from 16 to 18. During 1982 there was a review to
the category system, an ‘A’ rating was changed to ‘PG’, ‘AA’ was changed to a
‘15’ and ‘X’ became an ‘18’. Also a new category was introduced ‘R18’ this
was permitted to more explicit sex films to be shown in members only clubs.
In 1989 the ‘12’ certificate on film, to bridge the huge gap between ‘PG’ and
‘15’. This was extended to video in 1994. There were calls for stricter
standards following the Jamie Bulger case, with the media singling out the
film Child’s Play 3 (1991).

3. In 2002, the new ‘12A’ category replaced the ‘12’ category for film only, and
allows children under 12 to see a ‘12A’ film, provided that they are
accompanied throughout by an adult.
• The BBFC’s mission is to:
• Protect the public (especially children) from content which might raise
harm risks.
• To enable the public (especially parents) to make informed viewing
choices.
• Recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law.
• Respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media content
through creating public research.
• Work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative service
models to provide content advice which support emerging media delivery
systems.
In terms of their effectiveness, the BBFC have rejected the DVD Grotesque. It
features extreme torture of a male and female victim, as well as featuring
masturbation and amputation. The BBFC state that they have a strict policy
on sexual violence. They feel that rejecting a work outright is a serious
matter, they also considered cutting it but the unacceptable content was
featured throughout is not an allowed option in this case.

4. It is argued that work should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is
appropriate for their theme, adults should also be free to choose what they
see, provided that it remains within the law and is not potentially harmful.
They have 6 main categories; U (suitable for all), PG (parental
guidance), 12/12a (suitable for 12 years or over), 15 (suitable for 15 years or
over), 18 (suitable only for adults) and R18 (to be shown only in specially
licensed cinemas or sex shops, and to adults of 18 years or over).
The BBFC’s responsibility is to be open, also they are expected to make formal
decisions and take into account of these changes, as well as the law and new
evidence from research or other expert sources. Unlike PEGI, the BBFC has
the power to reject films and DVDs which have the potential to pose real
harm risk.

5. PEGI (PAN EUROPEAN GAME INFORMATION)
PEGI regulate video games in Europe, they do this to stop people from buying
games which may not be suitable for them. The public concerns for PEGI are
that games are now much more of a concern than they were a few years ago.
They are a voluntary self-regulation organisation with the first ever pan-
European age rating system. It has been operating in Europe since April 2003
and provides the public with an indication of the age ranges for which an
entertainment product is suitable. This will enable the public to make
informed decisions on buying PC and videogames. They state that their
strength is to build upon a variety of inputs from governments, consumers
and industry throughout Europe. The PEGI system belongs to the Interactive
Software Federation of Europe (ISFE) based in Belgium. Other companies
that also administrate PEGI are the Netherlands Institute for the Classification
of Audiovisual Media (NICAM) and The Video Standards Council (VSC) which
acts as NICAM’s agent in the UK. Examples of the classification system include
the five age-rating levels which are 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ and 18+. There are also
age-rating logos under each of the five age-rating levels, this depends on the
nature of the product. These include violence, bad
language, fear, sex, drugs, discrimination, gambling and online game.

6. PEGI’s code of conduct is intended to provide parents and educators
with objective and reliable information regarding the minimum age for
which a given product is deemed suitable with specific reference to its
content. Also this code is intended to ensure that all
advertising, marketing and promotion of interactive software products
is conducted in a responsible manner. As well as the interactive
software industry’s commitment not to distribute market, advertise or
promote interactive software products likely to offend human decency.
They also have a commitment to the code, they hereby commit to
ensure that the PEGI system is operated efficiently as possible by an
independent administrator as well as ensuring the understanding of
the code and its purpose by all participants in the industry. The PEGI
system age rating groups shall be divide as follows; 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18.
The administrator shall review all products in full before deciding
whether to approve the age rating by granting a licence to use the logo
and descriptors.