Unit 8

1. Regulatory bodies
By Blessing Anakambi

2. Explain the function of the following bodies.
a) OFCOM
Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the television, radio, telecoms
and postal sectors. It has a statutory duty to represent the interests of
citizens and consumers by promoting competition and protecting the
public from harmful or offensive material.

3. b) BBFC
The BBFC is a trusted guide to media content. Working as an
independent, self-financing and not-for-profit media content regulator,
the BBFC operates transparent, consistent and trusted co-regulatory
and self-regulatory classification and labelling systems in the UK.

4. c) PEGI
Prior to release of each version of a game, publishers complete an on-
line content assessment and declaration form. The first part of the form
deals with legal provisions in certain European countries. The PEGI
administrator (NICAM or VSC depending on the provisional age rating
given) are sent an examination pack which contains all of the
information and material required to double-check the provisional
rating against the PEGI criteria.

5. Relate the role of the body to an example.
OFCOM: The BBC has been fined £400,000 by the broadcasting
watchdog for faking competition winners and deceiving viewers on a
string of radio and flagship television programmes. OFCOM found that
the BBC faked winners or posed as a contestant themselves.

6. BBFC: BBFC is able to provide a age rating for all films that come out so
that viewers are aware of the content in the film for example, whether
it’s friendly for children or not for the eye of young viewers and only
Adults.

7. PEGI: PEGI is similar to BBFC however this is often used on gaming to
allow gamers to know the content of the game they will be playing.