Film Regulation - BBFC

Friday 22nd November 2019

Film Regulation BBFC 

Established in 1912 and originally called the British Board of Film Censors. It was in response to the Cinematography Act 1909, as this had introduced Censorship to the industry 

BBFC is a non-governmental organisation, but there were time that they worked with the government to censor some aspects of film. During WW2 they worked together to make sure that extreme political views were not shown.

The  BBFC gets its funding through charging film distributors for their services 

The board 'cuts' few films. Any cuts are listed on its website along with the length of any cut and the reason for it. Producers may choose  to cut parts of a film to reduce the rating the BBFC have given

Local authorities can also go against the BBFC if they feel it's in the public interest. 

Why regulate?

To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content.

To empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for children to informed viewing decisions  

How it works?

A group of people called examiners watch the whole film. This is either done individually or in pairs.

They will make notes on what they see under different categories:

• Themes and impact
• Discrimination
• Drug use
• Sex and Nudity
• Threat and Violence
• Imitable behaviour 
• Bad Language 

Media Regulation: Livingstone and Lunt

Their theory argues:

In UK regulation, there is a struggle between the interest of citizens and the interest of consumers. This is a struggle between protecting the public from harmful or offensive ,material , but still offering them choice, value for money and market competition 

The power of media corporation, convergence and developments in production, distribution and marketing have placed traditional approaches to media regulation at risk.

Globalization causes problems because n rules are stronger/more relaxed in different countries

Regulatory boards like the BBFC are getting more relaxed meaning audiences are able to access more content

Video on Demand content isn't regulated as strongly as films shown in cinemas. They're subject to less rules and not all VOD services are monitored

Do you think these issues would affect the production, distribution and exhibition of Chicken?