The guidelines of BBFC

By hajra mubashar

• The bbfc is an independent body funded through the films that it classifies

• it nationally classifies films distributed in the UK • It is also responsible for the classification of certain video games,

DVDs and videos• It must be stressed that the BBFC guidelines are not a legal

document• There are various acts that the BBFC have to consider such as the

human rights, licencing, the video recording act and many more• These acts have to be acknowledged before making the decision

on classification

Mission- as quoted from bbfc website

• ‘‘protect  the public, and especially children, from content which might raise harm risks

• empower the public, especially parents, to make informed viewing choices

• recognise and respect adult freedom of choice within the law• respond to and reflect changing social attitudes towards media

content through proactive public consultation and research• provide a cost-effective, efficient classification service within our

statutory remit• work in partnership with the industry to develop innovative

service models to provide content advice which support emerging media delivery systems

• provide an effective service to enforcement agencies’’- BBFC website mission statement

U- universal• Universal is suitable for all, it should be generally suitable for

audiences of age four and over• It should be suitable enough for a pre-school child to view

unaccompanied• There should be no references to drugs, no sexual nudity, kissing

being the strongest form of sexual behaviour, mild violence, no discriminatory language, very brief scary references, sensitive and discreet themes that don’t come across as too problematic

• There should be no dangerous behaviour that young people may be inclined to mimic

• Mild bad language should be used as seldom as possible

PG- parental guidance

• PG, is basically general viewing, but some scenes may be inappropriate for children

• It should not disturb children aged eight or older• Again, any references to drugs should be not be

provocative and should perhaps carry an anti-drug message• There a should be very mild bad language• Anything that is completely prohibited at the U certificate is

not allowed but in discretion• Sexual nudity for the purposes of pornography and

voyeurism is completely inappropriate

12A and 12• 12A/12 is suitable for ages 12 years and over• Both have the same criteria • Here the themes become more adult, allowing the

misuse of drugs but no glamorisation, horror should be moderate and infrequent, sex can be briefly protrayed, anything inappropriate for children can be shown to young teenagers however it should not be empasised

• 12A is for cinema film, anyone younger than 12 cannot rent or buy films with this certificate

15• Suitable for ages 15 and over, so

nobody under 15 can buy or rent a film certified 15

• There is very little limits on 15 films, except that gory, sadistic or sexualised images are not allowed

• Sexual activity should be in detail

18• Suitable for only adults• Clear images of real sex, strong

fetish material• Portrayal of harmful drugs, may

cause harm to public morals• Stress on sexual themes rather than

violence or action

R18• These sort of films are only allowed to be

shown in licensed sex shop, it is legally restricted

• It is essentially pornographic material for explicit and indiscreet sex and fetish material

• There is no audiences consent and it is open with potentially provocative material which could possibly promote abusive sexual activity such as rape