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1. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Unit 7: Understanding the Creative
Media Sector
Learning outcome 3:
Understand the regulation of the media
sector
Name: _Brad _ _Cox _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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?
I researched the BBFC (British board of film classification)
What are they in charge of regulating?
(using a mix of generalisation and also writing about specific products or
services will help give more detail to your answer)
The BBFC is a trusted guide to media content. The BBFC are in charge of
classifying and labeling films in the UK. They protect children and vulnerable
adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable media content. They
empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for
children, to make informed viewing decisions.
When was the body set up? Why was it set up?
(regulatory bodies are created for a reason. Finding out what led to the creation
of it will give you a greater understanding of the issues surrounding it. Some are
quite modern organisations whilst others have been around much longer. Keep
an eye out for any mergers, name changes or changes of responsibility)
The BBFC was set in 1912. The British Board of Film Classification BBFC,
before 1985 known as British Board of Film Censors, it was then founded by the
film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and
censorship of films within the United Kingdom
How is this organisation funded? Why is it funded that way? Are there any
benefits or drawbacks to being funded this way?
(considering how the funding might affect impartiality and interference from
other bodies would help you give more detailed, higher level answers here. The
'About' section of most bodies website is a good place to start)
The BBFC is a non-governmental body that is funded through the money it
charges to those who submit films and videos for work classification.

3. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
What powers does the regulatory body have? What can they do if
someone breaks their rules? Who gives these powers to the body?
(making references to specific cases could help you create a more detailed
answer. Finding specific information on when the body was set up and who
helped create it will allow you to find out who gives the body any powers.)
Trading Standards and law enforcement officers have the power to seize illegal
video works including, DVDs, Blu-rays and video games. The BBFC has been
designated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to provide evidence
to help secure convictions under the terms of the Video Recordings Act (VRA)
1984.
How does the industry use it?
(different bodies will require the industry to work with it in different ways. Some
require you to submit your work before publication whilst others work
retrospectively, only reviewing your work if there is a complaint made. Some
simply provide guidelines whilst other work to create laws, monitor companies
and issue fines where required.)
The main purpose of the BBFC’s symbols and age ratings is to denote the age-
appropriateness of moving image works seen by the BBFC. Online retailers of
packaged media products (DVD, Blu-ray, the industry) are entitled to use the
BBFC’s age ratings (text or symbols).
How can the public use it?
(regulatory bodies often have customer or public facing arm which allows the
public to interact with it. This might be in the form of providing advice and
guidance or it could involve being able to make complaints directly to the body.
Sometimes they might intervene in a dispute between a member of the public
and the industry. Find some specific details about how the public can use this
body.) The BBFC provide the pulic, particularly parents, with as much
information as possible to enable them to make a fully informed decision about
what they will view. We therefore publish detailed information about the content
of every film we classify. Both Children’s BBFC – www.cbbfc.co.uk BBFC
Website - www.bbfc.co.uk offer suitable advice on the age requirements and
what each classification includes. The website for the younger generation
involves interactive elements and has information on their role and history.

4. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
What kinds of regulatory issues does your body deal with the most?
(some bodies are set up to look at competition, consumer choice and services
standards. Others are specifically about censorship whilst others try to balance
privacy and the freedom of information. Use examples to help you explain the
kinds of areas your regulators are most concerned with.)
Case Studies:
Find a case study, which demonstrates the regulatory body working in practice.
(you should explain the issue they were working on and how it was drawn to
their attention. You should explain the outcome and how that decision was
reached. Regulatory bodies often need to be publically accountable and as such
they usually have a good and often very up to date list of the cases they have
worked on.)
Hot Fuzz. 2007
The repeated use of strong language immediately leads to a 15 classification.
There are some 15 uses of variants of ‘f**k'. More unusual at 15 are two uses of
very strong language, ‘c**t’, which normally indicates an 18 rated film. The
BBFC accepts that this word can be highly offensive to members of the public,
so careful consideration was given to the context in which this language
appeared. Where the word is used aggressively and repeatedly in dialogue, an
18 will always result. In this film, the first use occurs in a scene at the police
station where we see a swear box, accompanied by a list of all the swear words
that warrant a fine to be placed in the box. The word is seen briefly as part of
this list. Given that the word is not actually spoken at this point, and that the
context makes it clear that the word is offensive, examiners felt that the 15
would suffice. The second use occurs where police officer Nick listens to his
sergeant describing a man's selling drugs to students. Nick's response of, ‘What
a c**t!’ is an expression of his disapproval of trading in drugs, rather than
aggressive swearing directed straight at the offending drug dealer. Because of
the context, and the fact that the film is comic throughout, examiners felt that
there was no need to raise the classification to 18 on account of the language.

5. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
Find a second case study, which demonstrates the regulatory body working in
practice.
(You should explain the issue they were working on and how it was drawn to
their attention. You should explain the outcome and how that decision was
reached. Regulatory bodies often need to be publically accountable and as such
they usually have a good and often very up to date list of the cases they have
worked on.)
Mrs Doubtfire1993
On this issue of sex references the BBFC’s Director, James Ferman, could not
be persuaded, and the distributor eventually agreed to accept the 12 category.
The film was therefore released at 12 in early 1994. In the following weeks the
Board received a number of letters both from the general public and from
individual cinemas questioning this decision. One of these, from a cinema in
Scunthorpe that was representative of many such missives, referred to “turning
away hundreds of tearful family groups.” The letter further informed the Board
that the cinema had departed from its normal policy of support for the BBFC and
had requested its local authority to watch the film with a view to granting a PG
certificate. The PG was duly granted, with the leader of the viewing panel
quoted as saying “We found the film humorous, entertaining, sentimental and
wholesome family fun.”
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?
Yes there should be regulation of the media to control what the media age
requirement is to view the films. It is important that the age rating for the film
suits the content of the film.
Should regulators be independent?
I don’t think they should be independent as they need to work with other to
come to concluding on the correct age ratings are suitable.

6. BTEC ExtendedDiplomainCreativeMediaProduction
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 media products to make it suitable for
certain ages such as if a film had certain inappropriate language they would
take them out to get the product from a 12 to a PG.