Media regulation refers to government control over mass media to protect the public interest and restrict certain content. It aims to regulate press, television, and radio. Media regulation emerged due to issues caused by media exposure, such as theories linking violence in media to real-world violent behavior. It also aims to prevent offensive, demeaning, or immoral content. While technology has increased risks like hacking, media regulation still plays a role in restricting graphic or scarring content that could harm viewers, especially children. However, regulation must be implemented reasonably and not restrict important information the public has a right to access.

1. MEDIA REGULATION
Rachael Sampson and Talia Smith

2. What is media regulation
• Media regulation is the control by the
government of mass media texts. They are rules
that protect the public interest and what certain
audiences can and can’t view. It’s needed
because media affects our lives and what we
consume is determined by the media we intake.
• Media regulation is targeted mostly at press,
television and radio.

3. Why did media regulation come
about?
• There have been many issues caused by the media such as the
many cases on violence. The theory that those who are
exposed to media involving violence at a young age grow up
to show violent behaviour.
• It came about for the protection of others to make sure things
being broadcasted were not offensive, demeaning or against
basic morals.
• The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) was founded in
1912. It is a non governmental organisation but works in
media regulation by assessing films and videos and giving
them a national certificate of what age range is suitable to
consume the content.

4. Do we need media regulation now?
Because of the development of technology, it is easier to hack into peoples
personal devices because they aren't as protected. And with the recent
hackings of the royal family, government officials and celebrities, it shows that
more must be done to protect peoples personal messages. In context to film
and television programmes, the development of regulations being in place has
created it to be more difficult to see certain films. However, it isn’t impossible.
A child with access to internet can easily be exposed to films which are too
graphic, for example Taliban beheadings. These are not only illegal but they
can scar a person for life. The intensity of the footage means we must have
media regulation in place to protect society.

5. What’s The Future Of Media
Regulation?
Because of recent times – (Leverson phone hacking scandal) it is clear that
media regulation should be stricter, but is this reasonable? Restricting the
information we consume when sometimes, for example finding out secrets
within the government, leaking confidences to the public which we have a
right to know through things such as hacking; for our benefit we find
information out with todays modern technology, even if it is in a deceitful and
unethical way.
Speech by Tim Suter on media regulation and his opinions on the future:
http://www.commcham.com/storage/publications/The%20Future%20of%20Media
%20Regulation%20-%20Brussels%20May%202012.pdf