LO3 Understanding the regulation of the media sector

Film Classification and Censorship

Who are the BBFC and what do they do?
The BBFC are the British Board of Film Classification and they give all films
distributed in the UK an age suitability rating. They can be contacted via their
website. The feature is shown to censors working for the BBFC before it is
released to the public, they then decide which rating is going to be assigned to
it.
What are the 6 UK classification certificates?
U-Universal, suitable for all ages. Ice Age, The Little Mermaid
PG-Parental Guidance, certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Wreck It Ralph, Frozen.
12-Suitable for people aged 12 and over. Pacific Rim, Godzilla.
15-Suitable for people aged 15 and over. Mama, The Royal Tenenbaums
18-Suitable for people aged 18 and over. Blade, Kill Bill.
R18-Can only be sold at licensed sex shops and adult cinemas. N/A.
Why does the BBFC classify films?
The BBFC classify and censor films in order to protect young children from
unsuitable or harmful content, and also so that consumers can get basic
information about the films content by looking at its casing.
What is censorship?
Censorship is the banning or restriction of unsuitable or harmful content from
films, books, TV shows and video games in order to protect younger viewers or
people who dislike themes including violence, drug use etc. Consumers can
also self-censor, for example if a parent sees a PG-rated film and deems it
unsuitable for their child they can stop their child from watching.
LO3 Understanding the regulation of the media sector

Give an example of censorship. (Include film title, complaint/reason for censoring and
outcome)
Cannibal Holocaust was banned from 1984 to 2001, due to graphic violence,
sexual assault, genuine violence towards animals and accusations of it being a
snuff film; the director was arrested on obscenity charges and had to prove
that no-one died during filming as the cast had signed a contract agreeing not
to appear in public for one year after the films release.
How do you make a complaint about a film?
One way to complain about films in the UK is to email the BBFC at
feedback@bbfc.co.uk or writing to them, or tweeting them.