Essay - "How far do changes to the regulation of media reflect broader social changes?"

The purpose of regulation is to protect the public from inappropriate or damaging content. So regulation is aiming to protect children and sensitive adults. Some could say regulation actually aims to control what we think and know in a sense that we are getting 'brainwashed'. Regulation has become more lenient since it has transferred from conservative to more on the liberal side. The BBFC used to censor movies but is now using age certification to rate movies into certain categories. OFCOM is a statutory organisation meaning it is owned by the government, it focuses on reactive regulation so it would ban certain shows or even worse, revoke the channel's license so all shows on that get cancelled. Not all media is considered equal; TV is more strict in terms of regulation sicne the government owns the OFCOM, the BBFC and PEGI are independent regulators so the regulation is more liberal than OFCOM. There should be a set moral standard but not for everything that can be considered because some things are subjective especially context some into play.
In terms of the BBFC, like I mentioned before, the BBFC were initially more conservative as their initial name was British Board Film Censors; their method of regulation was censorship. In the 1980s, 'video nasties' occurred; illegal home videos of banned movies were in the hands of the public. For example, Evil Dead was released during this time and the BBFC suggested the producers to cuts certain scenes out because at the time, it was considered too gruesome. On the other hand, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was actually allowed to be released if it's rated X but certain councils wanted film to be banned which actually happened.
The BBFC rated Deadpool 15 whereas the Motion Picture Association of America rated the film R even though the UK film policy normally is known to give films higher ratings than the US. On the other hand, the BBFC rated Blue is the Warmest Colour 18 because it contain strong sex including lesbian and very strong language, even though Deadpool is similar but still got 15. Then reason why is that Deadpol is more comedic.
   

Cut up essays

1. General definition, information

The BBFC are an non-government regulatory body to which films are submitted for classification based on their content. They aim to protect the public by providing them with information that allows them to make a more educated decision when selecting a media products. The BBFC also provide verification for as to why they have awarded media products the certificate that they have. Like with the BBFC video games are submitted to PEGI to be given appropriate age ratings. These age ratings are in place to give guidance to the video game customers, particularly parents. The age ratings given to video games are awarded based on their content and suitability, not their difficulty. PEGI used descriptors that are placed on the back of the video games packaging. These descriptors explain the main reason behind why games have been given a particular age rating

Thesis statement

Although these regulatory bodies are in place there are problems with the systems that prevent them from being used as a means of protection, for the public, from the media
Point

Problems are faced by these gatekeepers when it comes to media that they are unable to regulate
Evidence/Case Study Example

For example, media platforms such as YouTube are unregulated due to the excessive quantity of videos submitted to this platform. 

Also piracy of video games and films cause major problems for these gatekeeping organisation. Piracy is a prime example where an advance in technology has posed a threat to regulatory companies aim to protect the public.

A Serbian film is a prime example of a film where by the BBFC have taken precautionary measures in an attempt to prevent the public from being exposed to potentially harmful media content

The Woman In Black was passed by the BBFC with a 12A classification following cuts and was later released uncut on DVD with a 15 age certificate. Ann Maguire a Spanish teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds was stabbed seven times by Will Cornick (a 16-year-old student) and died as a consequence of the school boys actions

Hatred is a game that has not yet been released has already stimulated moral panic simply based on the release of its trailer. In Hatred you play an anti-hero whose sole aim is to put as many “human worms” into the grave as he can. Hatred was given an “Adults Only” (AO) rating by the ESRB for extreme violence rather than sexual content. Effectively preventing any mainstream distribution of the game at retail or on video game consoles. However, PEGI have not yet rated the game and have said that they will not award the game a rating based dimly on the trailer. Until a PEGI rating has been awarded to the game it is hard to criticise the extent to which the regulators have gone to protect the public. Although,  fans of Hatred have demanded developer Destructive Creations include even MORE violence in the stomach-churning title. Such comments may alarm organisations such as PEGI and affect their view of the video game during the classification process.

Dark Souls II is another example of a video game that has evoked moral panic amongst the public. Dark Souls II is an action role-playing video game. PEGI rated the video game with a 16+ for the violence that was in the game. It was suggested that ‘Dark Souls II is truly the most controversial game this generation’. One of the main controversial factors related to the video game Dark Souls II was the crime that followed that was later blamed partially on the criminal having played the violent game, including Dark Souls II,  in which he was able to virtually perform that acts that he later carried out in person. In November 2014, months after the release of Dark Souls II, Ann Maguire a Spanish teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds was stabbed seven times by Will Cornick (a 16-year-old student) and died as a consequence of the school boys actions.  The age rating given to the video game by PEGI meant that Cornick was seen to be of an appropriate age to be playing such games as Dark Souls II. In this case it could be suggested that the regulators failed in their job and should have taken stricter precautions in an attempt to prevent such crimes

Analysis/Argument

For example, it is not illegal for a person who is of age to buy a particular media product for a person who is under the age certificate of a product and allow them to view it. In this respect organisations such as PEGI and BBFC are carrying out the service that they hope to provide by informing the buyer of the content and the potential harm that such products may cause to a consumer who is not of suitable age to be subjected to the media product.
Theory

Historical Context

The BBFC and PEGI are the two organisations who certificate and rate media products. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) was set up in 1912 to protect the public from media material that may present harm risk. Originally the BBFC only classified cinema films until the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984 when it started regulating videos/DVDs. In 1984 the BBFC began to regulate video games as well. From 2003 the responsibility of regulating video games was passed from the BBFC to PEGI (Pan European Game Information). However, the BBFC will continue to classify all games that feature strong pornographic content and ancillary games attached to a wider, primary linear submission.

Future Prediction

 Both the producers of film and video games are attempting to push the boundaries to see what they are able to get away with. This is making the role of regulators to protect the public even harder. The regulatory bodies are only ably to regulate for the ‘normal’ person and have to make a decision on media products as they see appropriate. There is never going to be full protection of the public from media but the regulators work to do the job to the best of their ability. Content is always going to be available on formats that aren’t able to be regulated and therefore the extent to which the public can be protected is limited.