A2 Media Regulation 20.3.14

7/27/2019 A2 Media Regulation 20.3.14

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The different media regulatory boards

Apply your understanding

How to research and support your argument.

To

Home

Learning

Due:


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The race relations act (1976) states that media institutions may not broadcast or publish any mater

deemed offensive to ethnic and racial groups.

The Obscene Publications act (1959, redrafted 1964) ensures that nothing obscene could be represSo, for example, the 9pm Watershed remains important for broadcasters, not just in terms of cont

shown pre-watershed, but also in the representations that may be used.

The representations of the people act (1983) sets out guidelines about how much broadcast time i

the main political parties during a year and how they may use it.

The public order act (1986) prevents the broadcast or publication of any material which could be co

any ethnic or national group.

The sex discrimination act (1986) ensures equality of representation for both genders in the media

The broadcasting act (1990) states that the ITC (independent television commission) must ensure t

broadcast will not be offensive in any way.

MEDIA REGULATION

Know: The different media regulatory boards

Be Able to: Apply your understanding

Understand: How to research and support your argument


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The communication act (2003)

OFCOM superseded the ITC in the role of independent regulator and competition authority for the U

(television and radio) and includes telecommunications and wireless services.

Regulatory bodies

Most regulatory bodies for the media are voluntarybroadcasters, print organisations and other mehave to subscribe to relevant groups, although most do. It is only the BBC, being a Public Service Bro

these regulations written into its character.

These bodies include:

Advertising standards agency: which is responsible for maintaining standards in adverts and address

members of the public who find an advert offensive in some way.

Press complaints commission: which fulfils the same role in relation to material published in newspa

OFCOM: which is now the major regulator for all the communications industries, responsible for bro

companies, wireless communications and so on. It replaced the regulatory bodies which were separa

each of these industry sectors and is not a self-regulatory body.





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The most important bodies to know about are the PCC and the BBFC.

The PCC

The PCC was founded in the early 1990s to create a code of practice for journalists and photographer

tribunal system and legislation relating to intrusion of privacy. The PCC is self-regulatory. In other wor

body, run by the media organisations, and media organisations must choose to sign up to the PCC cod

issues such as:

Accuracy

The right to reply (for people written about)

Not misleading readers or misrepresenting people

Privacy and harassment

Being sympathetic to victims and also to the family and friends of people in the news (e.g. those o

retaining their right to privacy.

Appropriate and discreet reporting of stories with children involved or involving victims of sexual a

Acting in the public interest





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The important factor about the PCC is that it is voluntary. There is no censorship of the news.

There are, however, laws which affect newspapers, broadcasters and all media organisations, some of which are:

The official secrets act:

This is used to ensure that anyone who works for the military, government or police may not speak to the press about any aspects

permission.

Libel media:

If a media organisation prints or broadcasts a story about someone which damages their reputation, character or lifestyle (e.g. if th

something in the papers), the person has the right to sue the organisation for libel.

The cinematograph films (Animals) Act 1937

It is illegal to show any scene organised or directed to involve actual cruelty to animals.

The protection of children act 1978

It is illegal to show indecent photographs of a child

The obscene publications act 1959

It is illegal to show a work which is obscene. A work may be found obscene if it might disturb and corrupt a significant proportion o

Race Relations Act 1976

It is illegal or disseminate materials, such as leaflets and newspapers, that could be considered racist in any way or which may incit

Sex discrimination act 1975

Men and women must be represented equally and fairly in the media.





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The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The BBFC is an independent, non-governmental body, which ha

responsibilities over cinema since 1913, and over video since 19

image material is submitted to the BBFC for rating and the BBFC

rating certificate which identifies what audience age range the mbe suitable for. These categories are:




h d ff d l b d


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Films rated Uc are primarily

For pre-school children.

Films rated UniversalAre suitable for all ages.

Parents guidance films

Are deemed suitable for

Children but there may be scenes

Parents would not wish under

12 to see.

No-one younger than 12 may see a 12A film

In the cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No one

Younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated DVD.

No-one y

May see a

Or rent or

No-on

R18 videoOnly in lice

Adults of n

The R18 ca

And legally

Primarily fo

Consenting

R18 videos

Mail order.




K Th diff t di l t b d


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TASK: Research

Access the BBFC website and look at minimum of five

different (genre) case studies (films). They must be in the

last five years.

State the film, director, year and why it has been given

the specific rating. Is it appropriate for the film? Use

examples from the film to support your argument.

Would this rating have been different in the past?

Could this rating be different in the future?

Discuss the issue raised. For example,

Tangled (2010, Greno) was rated PG since the BBFC realised

that although there was fighting, the fantasy setting would

be obvious to children as a prince was fighting a nurse,

which is unrealistic. However, new technology like CGI and

3D animation blurs the lines between fantasy and reality so

maybe the principle will not be withheld in the future.

http://www.youtube.co

/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyOyBVXDJ9Q


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Consolidate, review.

What have you found out?






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Task 2: Begin research into your chosen case study. Topics could include Press, social networkCelebrities in the media, the development of web technologies on regulation (Piracy), PEGI etc




Research three topics in depth: Socand one other of your choice. Look

media regulation.

What is your chosen topic? Why

How has it been portrayed in th

examples and quotes, images to

explanation).

How has it been regulated by th How has it not been regulated b

(Argue both sides).

Will there be any changes to the

is regulated around your chosen


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Footage of the death of Nedgh-Soltn(23 January 198320 June 2009) drew international attshot dead during the 2009 Iranian election protests.According to Human Rights Watch, "She was a

who was a bystander to the protests when she was shot in the chest on Kargar Street. At the time o

Soltan was not actively protesting, according to her relatives and eyewitnesses. She had been trave

stuck in traffic several kilometers from the main protests at Azadi Square, and had just stepped out

witnesses have stated that there were no active clashes between protesters and security forces in twas shot".The murderer of Neda is disputed. According to CNN, BBC, FoxNews she was shot by Acc

Media, she was shot by rashHejzi.Her death was captured on video by bystanders and broadcastthe video became a rallying point for the opposition.It was described as "probably the most widely

human history".

Documents

A2 Media Regulation 20.3.14