It also has the power to cut or reject work depending on the content of the product, it was set up in 1912, and was funded by the film industry over time. They are responsible for giving many films their viewing certificates.
A viewing certificate is an age rating, rather, the minimal limit recommended to watch the film depending on the violent, sexual and drug content of the film, as well as morality and its purpose.
How are films given a certification?
In the past few decades, there have been rules and laws for certain film certificates. The law has control over this and who can view said films, most of the time, the authorities accept the recommendations. Often these are violated and are ignored/declined, and there are some examples to this occurring in the industry.
An example of a film that was given an 'x' rating (which is essentially an 18 rating today) was the film 'The Exorcist'. The Exorcist is one of the most well-known and famous horror films ever, but back in 1970, this film received an 'x' rating, for ages 18 and older. However, despite being given an official cinema certificate, the film was banned in other places either way, it was banned by local authorities no matter what.
Following this, there was the more recent 'Monty Python's Life of Brian', which had thirty-nine local authorities flat-out suggested a ban of the film, or banned by imposing the 'x' certificate. The BBFC beforehand, rated the film as an AA film (ages 14+).
This means that films need to be regulated, so that certain audiences don't end up seeing a certain film that may not be intended for them, either them being too old, too young or just not the right demographic either way.
Following this, there was the more recent 'Monty Python's Life of Brian', which had thirty-nine local authorities flat-out suggested a ban of the film, or banned by imposing the 'x' certificate. The BBFC beforehand, rated the film as an AA film (ages 14+).
This means that films need to be regulated, so that certain audiences don't end up seeing a certain film that may not be intended for them, either them being too old, too young or just not the right demographic either way.
IPSO
Standing for Independent Press Standards Organisation, the IPSO is an independent regulator for the newspaper and magazine industry in the United Kingdom.
The IPSO deals with many different publications, and it regulates them all. They make sure that members of newspapers and magazines (including the papers themselves) follow something known as the Editor's Code.
What is the Editor's Code you ask? It lays out the rules that those who work under newspapers and magazines have to follow. It is written by a committee and it came into effect just in January of this year, the 1st of January 2016.
There are many different things the code covers, some of which include accuracy, privacy, harassment and reporting suicide. There are others in this list of things covered.
Accuracy - They must make sure not to publish inaccurate statements, misleading information or anything that may deform the truth. They must also not have significant inaccuracy, any sort of opportunity to defame someone or any sort of distortion, it must be corrected before publication.
Privacy - Everyone must respect the right for anyone who's covered to privacy, family life and health. This can also include what they do on social media and digital communications, they also have to take into account that it is unacceptable to capture a picture of any individuals, whether the topic or not.
Privacy - Everyone must respect the right for anyone who's covered to privacy, family life and health. This can also include what they do on social media and digital communications, they also have to take into account that it is unacceptable to capture a picture of any individuals, whether the topic or not.
Harassment - All must not intimidate, harass or pursue a topic that could lead to someone feeling targeted or hurt. They have to not persist questions, photographing people or phoning once asked to stop doing so.
Reporting Suicide - Reporters must be sensitive on the topic of suicide, this is due to potential disturbing imagery for certain audiences. They must not show any images or anything visual that could disturb.
Reporting Suicide - Reporters must be sensitive on the topic of suicide, this is due to potential disturbing imagery for certain audiences. They must not show any images or anything visual that could disturb.
Ofcom
Ofcom is a communications regulator in the UK, regulating most if not all sectors, including radio, mobiles and TV.
They ensure that the UK gets a wide range of electronic communications services. They have television services and radio services from many varied organisations. They make sure that people who watch TV are protected from any sort of material that could offend or be deemed harmful to them as an audience.
They prevent people from being unfairly treated by those in media and having their privacy taken from them and being voided.
They do not however, regulate other things, such as the BBC TV licence fee, the content of TV and radio adverts, and newspapers and magazines (unlike IPSO). Reasons for this may be that it's just things that are out of their control, thus they don't regard it as something to regulate as it's caused by other companies, outside sources, and would be too finicky to change and regulate.
They ensure that the UK gets a wide range of electronic communications services. They have television services and radio services from many varied organisations. They make sure that people who watch TV are protected from any sort of material that could offend or be deemed harmful to them as an audience.
They prevent people from being unfairly treated by those in media and having their privacy taken from them and being voided.
They do not however, regulate other things, such as the BBC TV licence fee, the content of TV and radio adverts, and newspapers and magazines (unlike IPSO). Reasons for this may be that it's just things that are out of their control, thus they don't regard it as something to regulate as it's caused by other companies, outside sources, and would be too finicky to change and regulate.
ASA
The ASA stands for Advertising Standards Authority, it is an independent regulator of advertising across all media according to their site. They act against things such as misleading audiences, and potentially offensive advertisements.
The ASA have five fields or 'strands' of their 'strategy' that they've claimed on their site.
These include understanding, support, impact, proactive and awareness.
Understanding - They claim to have an authority on advertising and are open to regulatory change, they plan to be fair and balanced in evidence and arguments in media.
Support - They provide support to advertisers to help then create responsible ads. They apparently improve and make their target to advise businesses and inform them on the support they need.
Impact - They spend less time taking on ads that cause little detriment to consumers on their website. However if the complaint implies that some of their rules have been violated, they always will act.
Proactive - They plan to work with others and have a wide assortment of information to scan and tackle problems to make sure that ads that are submitted are responsible and even if they don't officially get the complaint.
Awareness - They try to access the public and make them aware, and they try to engage other people when need be, and they have confidence in their work and support.
Overall they intend to be consistent, reliable, accessible, fair and open to all.
