The document discusses understanding regulation of the media sector. It focuses on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) regulatory body. The BBFC was set up in 1912 to classify cinema films and began regulating videos/DVDs in 1984. It is funded through fees from submissions and uses age ratings as guidelines. The BBFC can restrict sales and viewing of media if ratings are broken. Case studies of A Clockwork Orange and Fight Club demonstrate the BBFC in action classifying films as 18 rated. Regulation is important to protect younger viewers but regulators should remain independent.

1. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Unit 7: Understanding the Creative
Media Sector
Learning outcome 3:
Understand the regulation of the media
sector
Name: Jack Sullivan_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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2. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
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.
Which regulatory body did you research?
British Board of classification (BBFC)
What are they in charge of regulating?
They choose the age ratings of different films and DVD’s. This is because some
DVD’s are not suitable for children so they have to be of age to purchase certain
films in shops.
When was the body set up? Why was it set up?
The BBFC has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/
DVDs since the video recordings Act was passed in 1984.
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- government body; it is funded from the fees it charges to the
people who submit films and video works for classification.
What powers does the regulatory body have? What can they do if
someone breaks their rules? Who gives these powers to the body?
The age ranges they use are guidelines abut who is and who isn’t old enough to
watch the films. If someone is under age they won’t be allowed to buy the film
and also wouldn’t be allowed to go watch it at the cinema.

3. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
How does the industry use it?
The industry put the film ratings on the DVD cases so when they are sold in
shops only the people of age can purchase the film. Also so who is allowed to
watch the film at the cinema or not.
How can the public use it?
The public see each age rating in the shops that sell films, also on
advertisements and on the actual DVD’s.
What kinds of regulatory issues does your body deal with the most?
They focus the most on deciding who is of age to watch certain films. They
decide this by looking at what the film contains and then decide an age rating
for the public.
Case Studies:
Find a case study which demonstrates the regulatory body working in practice.
 A clockwork orange
 Director: Stanley Kubrick
 Status: 18 uncut
 Year: 1971
Find a second case study which demonstrates the regulatory body working in
practice.
 Fight club
 Director: David Fincher
 Status: 18 uncut
 Year: 1999

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?
There should be regulation in the media because some of the things shown on
TV can be distressing to younger viewers, so it’s good to have a warning so it
isn’t as much as a shock to the viewers.
Should regulators be independent?
Yes because then each has it’s own regulations. So the public get each
regulation separately.
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 films and video games so younger
children aren’t allowed to watch the films and play games that are for adults.
This is because there can be bad language and some distressing scenes that
are not suitable for children.
or
Is it important to regulate adverts?

5. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
or
Is people’s privacy or freedom of information more important?