The BBFC assigns age ratings to films shown in UK cinemas to provide guidance about suitability. Films are given ratings of U, PG, 12A, 15, or 18 depending on content like violence, language, sex, drugs etc. The ASA regulates advertising across media using the Advertising Codes to ensure ads are responsible, truthful and legal. PEGI provides age ratings for video games to indicate content like violence, language, sex and drugs. IPSO monitors UK newspapers and magazines to ensure they follow the Editors' Code of Practice. Ofcom regulates communications sectors like TV, radio, phones and ensures access and protection for UK consumers.

1. Media regulation and control

2. BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
What do the BBFC do?
The BBFC assigns age ratings to films on behalf of the local authorities who license cinemas under the Licensing Act 2003.
Information about age ratings:
All films, short films and trailers that are shown theatrically must be submitted to the BBFC so they can be rated, unless permission has been given by the local
authority.
Regulations:
Things you must always remember is that on DVD or Blu-ray packaging the symbol must be shown on one of the largest faces (normally front cover) and on another
of the largest faces or another face which includes the explanatory statement within a rectangle (normally back cover). Also, the symbol must always be 5mm tall.
U: A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.
PG: General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older.
12A & 12: Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may
see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.
15:No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.
18: Contains sexual education, sex works, drugs and violence. Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a
criminal offence
R18: The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films
may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be
supplied by mail order.
Transformers Dark of the moon is rated a 12 and a 12A. This is because the film isn’t suitable for children under the age of 12. The film could
contains things like violence, nudity and drugs.

3. ASA (Advertising Standards Authority)
Who are the ASA?
The Advertising Standards Authority is the UK’s regulator of advertising across all media. They use the Advertising
Codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice. Our work includes acting on complaints and
proactively checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements.
What do they do?
Our purpose is to make advertisements responsible and our ambition is to make every UK ad a responsible ad.
Advertising Codes
The UK Advertising Codes lay down rules for advertisers, agencies and media owners to follow. They include
general rules that state advertising must be responsible, must not mislead, or offend and specific rules that cover
advertising to children and ads for specific sectors like alcohol, gambling, motoring, health and financial products.

4. Pegi
What is Pegi’s role?
Age ratings are systems used to ensure that entertainment content, such as films, videos, DVDs, and computer games, are clearly labelled by age
according to the content they contain.
Information about age ratings:
Age ratings provide guidance to consumers to help them decide whether or not to buy a particular product.
Regulations:
Violence:
When a game contains depiction
of violence.
Bad language:
When a game contains bad
language and profanity.
Sex:
When a game contains nudity
and or sexual behaviour/
references.
Drugs:
Game refers to or depicts the
use of drugs.
Fear:
When a game can be scary of
frightening to younger players.
Discrimination:
Game contains depictions of
material that might encourage
discrimination.
Gambling:
Games that encourage or teach
gambling.
Online gaming:
Online gaming and interaction with
other players.
From the symbols shown on the back of the cover of Black Ops 3 we understand that the game contains
violence and bad language. In response to this the game is also given an age rating of 18.

5. Ipso(PCC ) independent press standards organisation
What do the ipso do:
The ipso monitor and regulate for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. They allow newspapers and
magazines to account for their actions, protect individual rights, uphold high standards of journalism and help
to maintain freedom of expression for the press meaning that they allow people to continuously get their
opinion across.
What do they do:
They make sure that newspaper and magazine companies that are linked to them follow the Editors' Code.
They also look at any complaints that have been given about printed and online material that may go against
the Editors’ Code. Finally, if the newspapers and magazines breach the Editors’ Code the IPSO tell them to
correct or adjust the content.
About the Editors' Code:
The Editors’ Code that the ipso follow, sets out the rules that newspapers and magazines have agreed and must
follow. However the code isn’t written by the ipso, it is just in forced and advertised by them. The code is
written by the Editors’ Code Committee.

6. Ofcom
Who are the Ofcom:
The Ofcom are the regulators of the key communications services like TV, radio and video on demand sectors.
What do the Ofcom do:
The Ofcom regulate communications the TV, radio and video on demand sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles,
postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. They also make sure that people in the
UK are secure on their communications services and are protected from scams. They also make sure that the
UK has a wide range of electronic communications services.
Examples:
Phone services: EE, Vodaphone, O2 and Three.