1. Regulatory Bodies
…

2. British Board of Film Classification
(BBFC)
• The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent body which was
originally established by the film industry in 1912. Local Authorities were made
responsible for what was shown in cinemas and from early on accepted the
decisions of the BBFC. There are obvious benefits to both Local Authorities and the
film industry in having a central but independent body bring consistency to the
classification process and accept responsibility for decisions.
• Local Authorities remain legally responsible for what is shown in cinemas under
the Licensing Act 2003 and can still overrule the decisions of the BBFC. This does
not happen very often.
• Examples where it has happened include the film Spider-man which some Local
Authorities rated ‘PG’ or ‘PG12’ instead of the ‘12’ awarded by the BBFC.
Westminster Council banned Crash and Camden Council gave ‘18’ certificates to
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Story Of O before the films were submitted
to the BBFC for classification. Both were subsequently classified ‘18’ uncut.
• In 1985 the BBFC became the statutory authority for classifying videos/DVDs
under the Video Recordings Act 1984.

3. British Video Association
• The British Video Association is the trade body that represents the interests of publishers and rights
owners of video entertainment
• The BVA was established 30 years ago to represent the interests of publishers and rights owners of
pre-recorded video entertainment. Today, around 8,000 titles are released every year in the UK, on
DVD, Blu-ray Discs and 3D Blu-ray Discs through to Digital TV-based and web-based internet
services, available to rent or to own on portable devices and for home consumption.
• Video entertainment is critical for the cultural and economic success of the UK's audiovisual sector
and, in a world of evolving technology and new opportunities, the British Video Association's
primary role is to help maintain a business environment with the least regulatory burdens and
optimal conditions that enables video's crucial role in the audiovisual eco-system to continue.
• The BVA's members account for some 90% of this £2.25billion industry and include film companies,
television companies and independent labels which produce, license and distribute film, sport and
fitness, music video, TV, children's and special interest programming.
• Convergence of media technologies has lead to a proliferation of delivery channels and increasing
consumer choice. To help navigate the evolving video landscape the BVA developed a detailed map
of the UK video industry and supplies up-to-date data about new industry trends, market
information on the retail and rental sectors, current best sellers, the impact of government policy
and much more

4. Film Distributors Association
• Film Distributors' Association Ltd. (FDA) is the
trade body for theatrical film distributors in the
UK - the companies that release films for
UK cinema audiences.
Originally established in London in 1915, FDA
liaises and works with many individuals,
companies and organisations. FDA's Council, or
board, comprising a senior representative of each
member company, normally meets six times a
year and considers only matters of generic
interest to film distributors

5. Office for Communication (Ofcom)
• Ofcom is the communications regulator. We regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms,
mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.
• Ofcom is the communications regulator.
• We regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the
airwaves over which wireless devices operate.
• We make sure that people in the UK get the best from their communications services and are
protected from scams and sharp practices, while ensuring that competition can thrive.
• Ofcom operates under the Communications Act 2003. This detailed Act of Parliament spells out
exactly what Ofcom should do – we can do no more or no less than is spelt out in the Act.
• The Act says that Ofcom’s general duties should be to further the interests of citizens and of
consumers. Meeting these two duties is at the heart of everything we do.
• Accountable to Parliament, we are involved in advising and setting some of the more technical
aspects of regulation, implementing and enforcing the law.
• Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks,
and grant-in-aid from the Government.

6. • Our main legal duties are to ensure:
• the UK has a wide range of electronic communications services, including high-speed services such as broadband;
• a wide range of high-quality television and radio programmes are provided, appealing to a range of tastes and
interests;
• television and radio services are provided by a range of different organisations;
• people who watch television and listen to the radio are protected from harmful or offensive material;
• people are protected from being treated unfairly in television and radio programmes, and from having their
privacy invaded; and
• a universal postal service is provided in the UK – this means a six days a week, universally priced delivery and
collection service across the country; and
• the radio spectrum (the airwaves used by everyone from taxi firms and boat owners, to mobile-phone companies
and broadcasters) is used in the most effective way.
• What we do not do
• We are not responsible for regulating:
• disputes between you and your telecoms provider;
• premium-rate services, including mobile-phone text services and ringtones;
• the content of television and radio adverts;
• complaints about accuracy in BBC programmes;
• the BBC TV licence fee; or
• post offices; or
• newspapers and magazines.

7. Trading Standards Central
• The Trading Standards Institute is a professional membership association formed in
1881. It represents trading standards professionals in the UK and overseas - in local
authorities, the business and consumer sectors and in central government.
• It exists to promote and protect the success of a modern vibrant economy, and to
safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of citizens by enhancing the
professionalism of members in support of empowering consumers, encouraging
honest business and targeting rogue traders.
• TSI has five broad corporate aims:
• To Support TSI Members and TS Services so the trading standards profession can
innovate, sustain outcomes and develop new practitioners.
• To develop innovative solutions through anticipating and responding to the
changing needs of our members.
• To make an operating contribution through diversification so that our ambitions
can be realised.
• To expand our influence and operations through International market surveillance
solutions.
• To ensure our campaigns, products and policies have high impact.

8. Press Complaints
Commission (PCC)
• The PCC is an independent body which administers the system of
self-regulation for the press. It does so primarily by dealing with
complaints, framed within the terms of the Editors' Code of
Practice, about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines
(and their websites, including editorial audio-visual material) and
the conduct of journalists. It can also assist individuals by
representing their interests to editors in advance of an article about
them being published.
• The purpose of the PCC is to serve the public by holding editors to
account. We strive to protect the rights of individuals, while at the
same time preserving appropriate freedom of expression for the
press. We proactively advertise our services and reach out to
people who may be in need of our help. We aim to promote high
standards by developing clear guidance and practical principles
through our rulings, and offering training and advice to editors and
journalists

9. • The Commission comprises seventeen members and has a majority (ten) of "lay" or public
members (including the Chairman) with no connection to the newspaper and magazine industry.
The remaining seven Commissioners are serving editors. The PCC enforces the Editors' Code of
Practice agreed by the newspaper and magazine industry, which deals with issues of accuracy and
privacy in reporting and how journalists should behave in gathering the news.
• The PCC acts by:
• negotiating remedial action and amicable settlements for complainants;
• issuing rulings on complaints;
• using published rulings as a means of guiding newsroom practice across the industry;
• publicly censuring editors for breaches of the Code;
• passing on pre-publication concerns to editors to prevent the Code being breached;
• passing on requests to editors that their journalists cease contacting individuals, and so prevent
media harassment;
• issuing formal guidance, based on its interpretation of the Code, to the industry on important
issues;
• instigating its own investigations under the Code in the public interest where appropriate;
• conducting training seminars for working journalists and editors;
• and liaising with other press councils internationally.

10. Advertising Standards Authority(ASA).
• The Advertising Standards Authority is the
UK’s independent regulator of advertising
across all media. We apply the Advertising
Codes, which are written by the Committees
of Advertising Practice. Our work includes
acting on complaints and proactively checking
the media to take action against misleading,
harmful or offensive advertisements.