Unit 8

1. Regulatory Bodies
Explain the role and functions of the following bodies:
 OFCOM – Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the
television,radio, telecoms and postal sectors. It has a
statutory duty to represent the interests of citizens and
consumers by promoting competitionand protecting
the publicfrom harmful or offensive material.
 BBFC - The British Board of Film Classification(BBFC),
previously the British Board of Film Censors, is a non-
governmental organization,founded by the film industry
in 1912 and responsible for the nationalclassification
and censorship of films exhibitedat cinemas and video
works
 PEGI - Age ratings are systems used to ensure that
entertainment content, such as films, videos, DVDs, and
computer games, are clearly labelled for the age group
for which they are most suitable. Age ratings provide
guidance to consumers (particularlyparents) to help
them decide whether or not to buy a particularproduct.
Relate the role of the body to an example:
 OFCOM example - The BBC has been fined £400,000 by
the broadcasting watchdog for faking competition
winners and deceiving viewers on a string of radio and
flagship television programmes.

2.  BBFC example - The Dark Knight came to the BBFC for
classificationin 2008, with a distributorrequest for a
12A age rating.
 PEGI example - PEGI 18, GTA V; The adult classification
is appliedwhen the level of violence reaches a stage
where it becomes a depictionof gross violenceand/or
includes elements of specific types of violence.