- Emma Upton

Task 3 Understand the Regulation of the Media Sector

British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The BBFC is a trusted guide to media content. Working as an independent, self-financing and not-for-profit media content regulator, the BBFC operates transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory and self-regulatory classification and labelling systems in the UK.

They are highly experienced and their mission is to protect the public (especially children) from content which might raise harm risks. To empower the public, (especially parents) to make informed viewing choices recognisable and respect adult freedom. Respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media content through proactive public consultation and research. Also provide an effective service to enforce agenises.

PEGIPEGI stands for Pan European Game Information. It’s a

company that considers the age of suitability of a game, not the level of difficulty.

Age rating systems are used to ensure that the entertainment content such as films, videos, DVD’s and computer games are clearly labeled by age according to the content they contain. They provide guidance to consumers to help them whether or not the product is suitable.

37% of the population in the UK aged between 16-49 describe themselves as ‘active gamers’. The rating shown on a game confirms that it is suitable for a player over a certain age, depending on content of the game depends on the age shown. A PEGI 7 game is only suitable for players aged 6+ and a PEGI 18 is only suitable for players 18+.

Film Distributors Association The FDA is a trade body for theatrical film distributors in the UK. These are

the people that release films for UK cinema audiences. Originally they were established in 1915. The FDA cooperate with many individuals, companies and organisations. They represent a distribution stance in regular representations and consultations with the UK Film Council, the government and other trade organisations in the film industry.

They are also a founder member of the AIM (All Industry Marketing for Cinema). This company is a generic marketing body which hels to increase and broaden the UK cinema audience.

The FDA also works with the industry’s on-going efforts to combat film piracy and theft. They are members of FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) and the alliance of IP theft

Video Standards Council (VSC)Established in 1989 the VSC is a non-profit body, it also

supports anti-piracy activities. It is the second PEGI administrator and is based in the UK. It mostly checks higher age games (rated 12, 16, 18).

The VSC is a standard body for the video and video game industries, it has the code of practice to ensure that both industries show a duty of care whilst dealing with customers and the public.

The code of practice rules are a mixture of the law, proper business practices and common sense. It provides it’s retailer with members with a staff training course also, dealing with age restricted videos, DVD’s and video games.

Office for Communication (Ofcom) OfCom stands for The Office of Communications. It's a government

approved regulatory authority that regulates the telecommunication industry in the UK. It was established as an act of parliament in 2002 under the Communications Act of 2002. OfCom regulates TV, radio, fixed line telecoms, mobiles and wireless device airwaves.

It’s main priority is to regulate and gather complaints from all forms of media one of the latest scandals was a paddy power advert for the Oscar pistoriuos trial.

Trading Standards CentralIn 2010 TSC created a manifesto to provide a profile of trading standardsTS Manifesto Trading Standards

Experts 'on the beat', implementing national policy to support fair and competitive markets, honest enterprise and good business.Protecting standards, an on-the-ground activity that is vital to the livelihoods and safety of our communities.A friend to the consumer, an advisor to businesses and the scourge of the scammer, rip-off merchant and serious organised crime.A brand reassuring to consumers and business alike and an integral part of consumer, citizen and business confidence.

Press Complaints Commission (PCC)The PCC deals with complaints from members of the public. It is an

independent body which administers the system of self-regulation for the press. The purpose of the PCC is to serve the public by holding editors to account. They protect the rights of individuals, whilst also preserving appropriate freedom of expression from the press.

http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html This is a link o the steps the PCC take when pressing charges against a

person or company.

Advertising Standards Authority(ASA).

ASA involves a role to regulate the content of adverts, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK, by investigating complaints made about the adverts and then deciding whether the adverts complies with the advertising standards codes.

The codes stipulate that before distributing a marketing communication or publication the marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation. Also no marketing communication should mislead or be likely mislead by inaccuracy exaggeration or omission otherwise. Anyone can ask the ASA to investigate an advert.

If there is a problem with that advert, the authority can tell that company to change the advert or remove it.

Oscar Pistorious Trail/Paddy PowerOn august 19th 2013 Oscar Pistorious was officially charge with the

murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp as the trial started Paddy Power place an advert in the national papers offering odds on whether Oscar Pistorious was innocent or guilty, within days there were million of complaints over the advert and it’s insensitivity and in due course was removed from circulation, Paddy Power did issue an apology for the advert and were fined.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/oscar-pistorius/

References……..