Pre-production: Regulations
Choose two contrasting media products and outline the regulatory body:
Newspapers:
- The regulatory body for newspapers is the Independent Press Standards Organisation. They have a set code of practice that has to be abided by and if not the public can make complaints if they feel violated by what is published. There are 16 key headings that outline what can and cannot be published. Some of these being Accuracy, Privacy, Harassment and many more. Under each topic there is a brief summary of rules and regulations. For example under accuracy it states that the press must not publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images. It also states that the press are free to editorialise and campaign however they must distinguish between comment, fact and conjecture. When applying the regulations of the body its the editors and publishes who are responsible for abiding to the code of practice. They must apply this to both printed and online versions of their publication. If they do not stick to the rules and regulations the public can make an online complaint in order to resolve the issue. Unlike TV and Film, newspapers are published before they can be checked by IPSO so it is a regular occurrence for complaints to be made about the publications. When complaints are made it is also the newspapers duties to respond to these swiftly when required to do so and they must co-operate with IPSO. The newspapers may have to print a full apology for not following the code of practice or may be summoned to pay a fine.
An example of when the code of practice has been breached is of Gillian Chapman against the daily mail. Her claim was for inaccuracy of an article. The article was published with a photo alongside of a woman who had committed suicide. However the deceased had been identified wrongly and the woman on the photo was in fact still alive and it was a case of mis identity. Therefore the daily mail issued a full apology and changed the image in the publication. This was then re published in order to follow the code of practice set by IPSO.
Film:
- The British Board of Film Classification is responsible for ensuring all films are suitable for release. In order to make sure children are protected from unsuitable and harmful content all films are examined by the BBFC before release in order to categorise the films in to age groups in which they are suitable for. The age categories are U, PG, 12A, 12, 15 and 18. For example for a film to be rated a PG (parental guidance) there are standards and regulations the film producers must follow. These being; Mild bad language only, No detail of potentially bad behaviour, Frightening situations should not be prolonged or intense, references to drugs must carry a suitable anti-drug message and many others. If these are not followed it may result in the film being passed in a higher age category. As the age groups increase so does the variety of content allowed in the film. If a film is released to the public however results in large amounts of complaints some films may be pulled or banned. Before any film is released it must obtain a certificate from the BBFC in order to be shown in cinemas and released into circulation.
An example of when a film had been released but then pulled from circulation in the UK is the 1971 film 'A Clockwork Orange'. This was submitted to the BBFC in 1971 and passed as an X rated film (18). Despite the violent start to the film the BBFC was happy that the film ended in a suitable way. After its release the public and press were critical of the criminal and anti social actions of the films main character. Newspapers suggested that many young people had started to copy his behaviour. Two years after the films release Kubrick became concerned about copycat violence and the safety of his family so the film was withdrew from circulation in the UK even though the BBFC had classified it as an X. It still continued to be available in other countries around the world. After Kubrick's death his family allowed the film to be released again. In 1999 the film was classified by the BBFC as an 18 and is still in circulation today.
Newspapers:
- The regulatory body for newspapers is the Independent Press Standards Organisation. They have a set code of practice that has to be abided by and if not the public can make complaints if they feel violated by what is published. There are 16 key headings that outline what can and cannot be published. Some of these being Accuracy, Privacy, Harassment and many more. Under each topic there is a brief summary of rules and regulations. For example under accuracy it states that the press must not publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images. It also states that the press are free to editorialise and campaign however they must distinguish between comment, fact and conjecture. When applying the regulations of the body its the editors and publishes who are responsible for abiding to the code of practice. They must apply this to both printed and online versions of their publication. If they do not stick to the rules and regulations the public can make an online complaint in order to resolve the issue. Unlike TV and Film, newspapers are published before they can be checked by IPSO so it is a regular occurrence for complaints to be made about the publications. When complaints are made it is also the newspapers duties to respond to these swiftly when required to do so and they must co-operate with IPSO. The newspapers may have to print a full apology for not following the code of practice or may be summoned to pay a fine.
An example of when the code of practice has been breached is of Gillian Chapman against the daily mail. Her claim was for inaccuracy of an article. The article was published with a photo alongside of a woman who had committed suicide. However the deceased had been identified wrongly and the woman on the photo was in fact still alive and it was a case of mis identity. Therefore the daily mail issued a full apology and changed the image in the publication. This was then re published in order to follow the code of practice set by IPSO.
Film:
- The British Board of Film Classification is responsible for ensuring all films are suitable for release. In order to make sure children are protected from unsuitable and harmful content all films are examined by the BBFC before release in order to categorise the films in to age groups in which they are suitable for. The age categories are U, PG, 12A, 12, 15 and 18. For example for a film to be rated a PG (parental guidance) there are standards and regulations the film producers must follow. These being; Mild bad language only, No detail of potentially bad behaviour, Frightening situations should not be prolonged or intense, references to drugs must carry a suitable anti-drug message and many others. If these are not followed it may result in the film being passed in a higher age category. As the age groups increase so does the variety of content allowed in the film. If a film is released to the public however results in large amounts of complaints some films may be pulled or banned. Before any film is released it must obtain a certificate from the BBFC in order to be shown in cinemas and released into circulation.
An example of when a film had been released but then pulled from circulation in the UK is the 1971 film 'A Clockwork Orange'. This was submitted to the BBFC in 1971 and passed as an X rated film (18). Despite the violent start to the film the BBFC was happy that the film ended in a suitable way. After its release the public and press were critical of the criminal and anti social actions of the films main character. Newspapers suggested that many young people had started to copy his behaviour. Two years after the films release Kubrick became concerned about copycat violence and the safety of his family so the film was withdrew from circulation in the UK even though the BBFC had classified it as an X. It still continued to be available in other countries around the world. After Kubrick's death his family allowed the film to be released again. In 1999 the film was classified by the BBFC as an 18 and is still in circulation today.
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