Legal restraints

Legal Constraints

Broadcasting Act 1990 - A range of laws that demonstrate what is legal and what is not to broadcast on  television and radio media in the UK. This law has to be updated every so often to ensure that it keeps up with the movement of the media and the influences of society. An example would be explicit language on the radio, this would breach the act. 

Official Secrets Act 1989 - This is an act disclaiming that the media cannot release anything referring to national security. If a newspaper was to publish a story on the lack of British defense it could potentially put the everyone in danger. 

Obscene Publications Act 1959- Present  - This act forbids any obscene material to be published. 

Films Act 1985 - This act refers to finance in films and the identity of British films. 

Video Recording Act 1984 - This law means that videos that are sold or available for rental must be classed by the BBFC.

Race Relations Act 1976  - This law was put in place to avoid any discrimination based on race. This would include skin colour, nationality and religion. 

Human Rights Act 1998  - A range of rights that apply to each person.

Privacy Law - This law states content ensures broadcasters avoid any infringement of privacy in programmes and in connection with gaining hold of material including programmes.

Copyright And Intellectual Property Law - This shows that the creator, broadcaster or company that own a certain media product are protected from people who obtain material around legal requirements (example: downloading music from the internet).

Libel Law - No slander or defamation will be aimed at a particular person or group.

BBFC - Stands for British Board Film Classification. Its a classification which products within media (television programmes, films, adverts and video games) are placed into category of age due to the content that is featured; especially as some may not be suitable for children or youths.

OFCOM - Office of communications. It functions under the Communications Act 2003. Their duties are to further the interests in citizens and the consumers. They make sure the context of a media product is suitable for viewing and deal with complains if they occur – investigating them further more.

CODES of Practice -  This is a set of written rules that explain how individuals work in different industries and environment. 

Editors' Code Of Practice - Every member who works for a magazine and the newspaper industry, are forced to have keep high standards at all times. If they did not follow the rules of the Code Of Practise to protect themselves from any legal issues that can take place.

Age Restrictions 

The British Board of Film Classification decides on the age certificates in which are placed on films, this is important as the content must reflect on the age rating. it is essential that the correct age restraints are used to prevent children from seeing inappropriate footage.

Examples;

Rugrats Movie, Alladin, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc.

Despicable Me, High School Musical and Incredibles

Twilight, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Zombieland, Something about Mary and The Notebook

American Gangster, Evil Dead, Human Centipede

Porn

Classifications

These are the classifications made by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classifications) 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification

U

What does U mean?

The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

What sorts of films are usually passed at U?

A U film can explore most themes, as long as the treatment is appropriate to a young audience. This doesn’t mean that all films rated U are children’s films – many adult films, especially older works, are rated U because they don’t contain any strong issues.

A children’s work at U will generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship, particularly amongst children. The film or DVD will have a happy ending for the child and the overall tone should be one of reassurance.

U films are unlikely to contain discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of.

PG

What does PG mean?

PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

What sort of themes are passed at PG?

No theme is prohibited at PG, as long as it is treated in a manner appropriate to the category. PG works can explore challenging issues such as domestic violence, bereavement or racism.

In a PG work, illegal or antisocial behaviour, such as bullying, will not be condoned or seen to go unchallenged. Smoking and drinking will not be promoted or glamorised and if child characters are seen smoking or drinking, there should be a clear message that this is bad. If drugs are mentioned or seen, a PG work should emphasise that they are harmful.

12 & 12A

Will there be uses of strong language in a 12 or 12A work?

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

There may be moderate language (eg uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.

Do 12A films contain sex?

Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but sexual nudity should only be brief and discreet.

Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.

What sort of violence can I expect in a 12 or 12A ?

At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12 or 12A, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.

Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

15 

15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could include any of the following:

• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***').
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking

18

What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or DVD? 

18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘c***’)
• strong portrayals of sexual activity
• scenes of sexual violence
• strong horror
• strong blood and gore
• real sex (in some circumstances)
• discriminatory language and behaviour

R18?

R18 works are sex works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation and which are only allowed to be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or sold in licensed sex shops. They can only be seen by or sold to adults.

How this would effect my film?

This would effect my film because I need to make sure that the footage in the film is age appropriate yet  there need to be enough action to interest the older audience. It's hard to get the right balance between the two as the audience certificates are getting more strict.
There needs to be themes that would appeal to all aspects of my audience