1. Regulatory and professional bodies
within the Creative Media Sector
Beth Melia
Task 3 Understand the regulation of the media sector
2. British Board of Film
Classification (BBFC)
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) are the
company that put the classifications on films. Without a
classification films cannot be released.
Each classification depends on things such as, the genre of
the film and how much sex, violence and bad language
there is in the film.
3. British Video Association
The British Video Association is the trade body that represents the interests of
publishers and rights owners of video entertainment.
Video entertainment is critical for the cultural and economic success of the UK's
audiovisual sector and, in a world of evolving technology and new opportunities,
the British Video Association's primary objective is to help maintain a business
environment with the least regulatory burdens and optimal conditions that
enables video's crucial role in the audiovisual eco-system to continue.
They represent the industry’s interests collectively to:
– The Media
– The Government
– The Public
– Other Industry Organisations
4. Film Distributors Association
Film Distributors' Association Ltd. (FDA) is the trade body for theatrical film
distributors in the UK - the companies that release films for UK cinema
audiences.
They are a founder member of All Industry Marketing for Cinema (AIM), a
generic marketing body which works to increase and broaden the UK cinema
audience across the board.
FDA is a substantial supporter of the UK
film industry - geared mainly towards the
next generation of
filmmakers and audiences.
5. Video Standards Council
(VSC)
The VSC was established in 1989 as a non-profit making body set-up to develop
and oversee a Code of Practice designed to promote high standards within the
video industry.
• The Code has subsequently been
expanded to promote high standards
within the computer games industry.
The video and games industries
owe a duty of care to their customers
and the public generally.
6. Office for Communication
(Ofcom)
Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the
television, radio, telecoms and postal sectors.
Their job is to protect the public from what might be
considered harmful or offensive material.
The main areas Ofcom presides over are licensing,
research, codes and policies, complaints, competition
and protecting the radio spectrum from abuse.
7. Press Complaints
Commission (PCC)
The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) is a
voluntary regulatory body for British printed
newspapers and magazines, consisting of
representatives of the major publishers.
If something false is posted in a newspaper or
magazine the press complaints commission is the
place you write to, to complain.
For example- The stories with the news of the world
and the phone hacking stories, the press complaints
is where everybody had to complain to.
8. Advertising Standards
Authority(ASA).
Taken from the website >
• Their job is to ensure that advertising in all media is legal, decent, honest and truthful, to the benefit of consumers,
business and society.
Their aims are: