Legal Issues and Regulations

I will be discussing and researching into different media institutions which are responsible for regulations in the media. The institutions I have been asked to research into are ; British Board of Film classification and Advertising Standards authorities.

Firstly the BBFC play a major role in assisting the public. Audiences who watch films, are given regulations and restrictions as to what is seen appropriate and what isn't. On the other hand, you could argue that the BBFC may also go against films, to some extent. For instance if a film's director originally aimed an action film which contained some violence but mostly bad language, at teens and up, then got a restriction the film. The BBFC decides to classify it as an 18+ film, then the film loses half of it's audience members.

To the right is a video brief of the work of the BBFC, it explain what their work involves and what their purpose for regulations is. It was interesting to listen to the way that classification of films are decided, although no one every really pays much attention to the classification symbols, it is an extremely vital thing to consider when going to the movies. After all you don't want to turn up and they tell you that you're too young to watch the film you wanted. This has happened to me several times. Which brings me to conclude that the BBFC as an industry don't really get their work out publicly , because i wasn't aware of them until I learnt about them in class, which is quite a disappointment!

Below is the BBFC's latest film classification on the new release ' The Force Awakens' by Walt Disney. This examples show you how they set out everything that needs highlighting. Whether that be their insight or the running time. This is on their website and the public have access to it, in order to check before they go and watch the film.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)

Type: Feature

Approx. Running minutes: 135

Release dates: 17/12/2015

BBFCInsight: moderate violence, threat

Genre(s): Science Fiction, Adventure, Action

Director(s):  J. J. Abrams            

Summary: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is a sci-fi action adventure in which a young woman becomes embroiled in a galactic conflict.

Cut: All known versions of this work passed uncut.

The following video below , explains the work of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)

 They have a control over what adverts are broadcasted in our TV screens and help to regulate what they feel is somewhat inappropriate or may encourage less vigilance across society.
 I have been researching into their work and found some pretty interesting and understandable bans on adverts which, when first seeing didn't really realise  its in-appropriacy. The main thing to focus on is the viewers and their concerns, different viewers of the advert will have varied points of concern. One may be a parent who for instance sees an advert with too much sexual reference and reports the fact that their child can become influenced by it.

Here is an advert banned by the Advertising Standards Authority which is on the VIP E- Cigarettes Tv advert. This advert was complained about by many people, who collectively raised a particular point about the disgrace of the advert. Firstly, the public were swayed away from the point of the advert which is supposedly trying to promote a decrease for the amount of tobacco inhaled by people. The E-cigarette is meant to allow consumers to 'vape' which means by using an electronic cigarette you are producing a nicotine rich vapor. Of course this wasn't the main concern in the advert but the public along with the ASA pointed out that there were many sexual references, this automatically brought its value down. Another thing to look at was the fact that they have used a women to host for the advert and not a man- which again sexually objectified her. However, one of the main reasons why this advert was seen to be inappropriate was that there was some encouragement within the dialogue and teenagers were encouraged to copy this young lady. Not only this but the E-cigarette also comes with various flavours including milkshake and bubblegum, this again was a hazard for young children who decided to consume it. The news article below explains this concern from a medical angle to the advert.

The tabloid to the left shows you what the 'Mirror'  had to say on this issue. The headline is a direct warning to parents, because they may be unaware of the fact that children have had access to these cigarettes. Below this it says that 'reports found 11 and 12 year olds have been buying them from pizza parlours and high street shops..' which raises the concern for the law and the safety of children in public places. As a law student this in the UK would definatly conrodict the Protection of young persosn act 1996. 

The ASA in a way allow for greater awareness and help society feel safe and cared for.
The 'Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union other wise 'BECTU' is a trade union.

BECTU is the UK's media and entertainment trade union. BECTU provides a range of services for their members. They train and support the customers, they give personal advice and negotiate pay. They are important because they fight for the rights and protect their customers. They also promote the best interest of the industry's. Source from www.bectu.org.uk. BECTU is important because they are trustworthy in everything they do. They make the workers feel equal in the work industry and they make sure your voice are heard also it decrease the discrimination in the industry.  

Copyright was found in 1988. Copyright is a legal right formed by the law it also is when you have the legal right given to the creator for a fixed amount of years to print, perform, film or record artistic material.  Source from www.google.co.uk/webhp. 

Clearance is the office agreement for something to take place. The film must have permission to use anything for their film such as certain brands, logos, pictures or music. So in our film we wouldn't use any of the things above and the reason why is because we need permission from the companies and we will avoid going through clearance.