The document discusses the regulation of the media sector in the UK. It focuses on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) as a case study. The BBFC was set up in 1912 and is responsible for classifying films and enforcing censorship rules. It is funded through fees charged to submit films for classification. The BBFC has the power to determine appropriate age ratings for films and disable films that break its rules. It most commonly deals with issues of censorship, particularly around depictions of sexual or graphic violence.

1. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Unit 7: Understanding the Creative
Media Sector
Learning outcome 3:
Understand the regulation of the media
sector
Name: Benjamin Huyton
Understand the regulation of the media sector
Use this workbook to help you with this learning outcome. There is some guidance
and further notes which you should read and then remove, replacing it with your own
answers.

2. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Which regulatory body did you research?
BBFC
What are they in charge of regulating?
They are in charge of classifying films and to determine what bracket they fall in.
When was the body set up? Why was it set up?
It was set up in 1912 and they are responsible for the national classification and
censorship of films within the UK. It was essentially set up to enforce order to
film classification.
How is this organisation funded? Why is it funded that way? Are there any
benefits or drawbacks to being funded this way?
BBFC is a non-governmental body, which is funded through the fees it charges
to those who submit films and video works for classification. It is funded this way
because the BBFC is not for profit organisation. The benefit to this is that they
are doing it the right way by not being completely al about profit but the
drawback at the same time would be, why not be all about profit? Because
ultimately the BBFC would be a lot wealthier than they are.
What powers does the regulatory body have? What can they do if
someone breaks their rules? Who gives these powers to the body?
The BBFC have the power to license the film to what they deem appropriate.
They can overrule the makers of the film. If someone breaks their rules they
also have the power to disable the film from launching.
How does the industry use it?

3. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
The industry will use it to gauge an opinion as to whether they feel they are or
others are suitable to be watching the film or not. If you are under age you will
not be aloud to watch the film at cinemas for example. On very rare occasions
however, if a parent accompanies you there might be leniency from the industry.
How can the public use it?
Again the same kind of reasoning as previous. The public will tend to use it
strictly however on rare occasions there will be leniency and someone for
example will be allowed to watch a 15 film at 14 at the cinema.
What kinds of regulatory issues does your body deal with the most?
(some bodies are set up to look at competition, consumer choice and services
standards. Others are specifically about censorship whilst others try to balance
privacy and the freedom of information. Use examples to help you explain the
kinds of areas your regulators are most concerned with.)
Case Studies:
Case Study 1
Redacted: (15 Uncut) A minimum 15 category was established by numerous
uses of strong language with the BBFC guidelines allowing for ‘frequent uses of
strong language’ The rape scene was considered carefully since portrayals of
sexual violence are of acute concern for the BBFC, that concern reflecting the
attitude of the public to the issue. The guidelines at 15 state that ‘scenes of
sexual violence must be discreet and brief’ Although the build up to the horrific
attack on the young women and her family is quite protracted, the sexual aspect
is quite restrained in terms of its length and the detail presented.
Case Study 2
Paranoid Park: (15 uncut) In paranoid park there is a shocking image which
accords with the BBFC guidelines for horror at 15 which state that ‘the strongest
gory images are unlikely to be acceptable’. While the scene is brief and striking,
it is surprisingly bloodless, and the emphasis is on the dying man’s eyes as he
looks up at Alex. The films BBFC insight warns that the film contains ‘brief
images of strong gore’. Strong language also features in the film, but there are
only two uses and they are not aggressive or directed at an individual, and so
are acceptable at 12a under the guidelines.

4. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Regulation:
You should answer the following questions using the information you have
gained so far in the unit to help you provide examples to support your opinions.
You may also wish to undertake further research to help you produce detailed
answers.
Should there be regulation of the media?
Although regulation sets limits to freedom, I believe there should be regulation
to the media. This is because I believe it is key to manage emerging internet
society, while it also important to protect public order and also individual and
sectional rights and interests that might be harmed by unrestricted use of public
means to communication.
Should regulators be independent?
In my opinion I believe all regulators should not be independent because it is
impossible to manage everything on your own. Although there is an argument
against that by saying independency is key to success so therefore people
should be allowed to do what they please.
Extension tasks
Answer just one of the following questions with a long form answer using
specific examples to help support your opinions.
Why do we allow regulatory bodies to censor media products like films
and video games?
We allow regulatory bodies to censor media products to make them more safe
and to make sure that the right people watch or play them.
or

5. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Is it important to regulate adverts?
For me the same rules apply to adverts as to what they do for films and video
games, so yes I think it is very important to regulate adverts.
or
Is people’s privacy or freedom of information more important?