The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body, which has exercised responsibilites over cinema for more than ninety years, and over video since 1985
Cinema
- The British Board of Film Censors was established in 1912 by the film industry when local authorities started to impose their own, widely varying, censorship standards on films
- The Board was set up in order to bring a degree of uniformity to those standards, aiming to create a body which could make judgements that were nationally acceptable
- To gain credibility, the Board had to earn the trust of the local authorities, Parliament, the press and the public
- It has always aimed to remain unbiased towards the film industry's requirments, whilst also trying to classify fairly
- Local authorities have the right to overrule the BBFC's classifications, although it has become common practice to accepts their judgement
Video
- In light of the 'Video Nasties' in the early 1980's, Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act in 1984
- This act states that video recordings offered for sale or hire in the UK must be classified by an authority, a role later given to the BBFC
Monday, 28 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
BBFC Seminar
On Wednesday afternoon, a speaker from the BBFC came to speak to us about their job in the industry and allowed us to ask questions. The woman was part of the BBFC's examining body and I found it really interesting to get an inside opinion on how things are run and what her job entails. I was surprised with the short turn around it took from them receiving a video work, and the work being classified - however, she explained that the BBFC are always trying to shorten this time as they are providing a service to the industry and the longer it takes, the more disruptive to the film industry it becomes. I was surprised to hear how often different examiners have conflicting opinions on the classification of a film, and this showed me just how subjective the guidelines are, and that it really comes down to personal interpretation. We were shown clips of films and had to classify them based on what we thought was a suitable rating, a task I found helpful as the examiner could then show us how the particular scene would be interpreted by the BBFC. I also found it surprising that the board had made mistakes in the past when classifying films (for example The Dark Knight).
PCC Seminar
On Wednesday we went to Chancery Lane, where the Press Complaints Commission is based, for a seminar on their policies and a question and answer session. I found it really interesting to see where the Commission was based, the offices were really nice and the seminar took place in a professional board room. The talk was given by one of the members on the complaints commision - it was very informative and I found it interesting to hear about the different case studies, which we were asked for our opinion and whether we thought the complaints had been upheld or rejected. We also sturied the code in more detail which I found really helpful as it helped me have a better understanding of the commision's role in the industry. I was surprised at how quickly the commision dealt with complaints, and how the context of each complaint made a difference in whether it was upheld or what punishment is suitable.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
PCC Code of Practice Summary
1 Accuracy
i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and - where appropriate - an apology published. In cases involving the Commission, prominence should be agreed with the PCC in advance.
iii) The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
iv) A publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of an action for defamation to which it has been a party, unless an agreed settlement states otherwise, or an agreed statement is published.
2 Opportunity to reply
A fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for.
3 *Privacy
i) Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.
ii) Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent. Account will be taken of the complainant's own public disclosures of information.
iii) It is unacceptable to photograph individuals in private places without their consent.
Note - Private places are public or private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
4 *Harassment
i) Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
ii) They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on their property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.
iii) Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use non-compliant material from other sources.
5 Intrusion into grief or shock
i) In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings, such as inquests.
*ii) When reporting suicide, care should be taken to avoid excessive detail about the method used.
6 *Children
i) Young people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.
ii) A child under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child’s welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.
iii) Pupils must not be approached or photographed at school without the permission of the school authorities.
iv) Minors must not be paid for material involving children’s welfare, nor parents or guardians for material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's interest.
v) Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for publishing details of a child’s private life.
7 *Children in sex cases
1. The press must not, even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences.
2. In any press report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child -
i) The child must not be identified.
ii) The adult may be identified.
iii) The word "incest" must not be used where a child victim might be identified.
iv) Care must be taken that nothing in the report implies the relationship between the accused and the child.
8 *Hospitals
i) Journalists must identify themselves and obtain permission from a responsible executive before entering non-public areas of hospitals or similar institutions to pursue enquiries.
ii) The restrictions on intruding into privacy are particularly relevant to enquiries about individuals in hospitals or similar institutions.
9 *Reporting of Crime
i) Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime should not generally be identified without their consent, unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.
ii) Particular regard should be paid to the potentially vulnerable position of children who witness, or are victims of, crime. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
10 *Clandestine devices and subterfuge
i) The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held private information without consent.
ii) Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means.
11 Victims of sexual assault
The press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material likely to contribute to such identification unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so.
12 Discrimination
i) The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.
ii) Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.
13 Financial journalism
i) Even where the law does not prohibit it, journalists must not use for their own profit financial information they receive in advance of its general publication, nor should they pass such information to others.
ii) They must not write about shares or securities in whose performance they know that they or their close families have a significant financial interest without disclosing the interest to the editor or financial editor.
iii) They must not buy or sell, either directly or through nominees or agents, shares or securities about which they have written recently or about which they intend to write in the near future.
14 Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
15 Witness payments in criminal trials
i) No payment or offer of payment to a witness - or any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness - should be made in any case once proceedings are active as defined by the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
This prohibition lasts until the suspect has been freed unconditionally by police without charge or bail or the proceedings are otherwise discontinued; or has entered a guilty plea to the court; or, in the event of a not guilty plea, the court has announced its verdict.
*ii) Where proceedings are not yet active but are likely and foreseeable, editors must not make or offer payment to any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness, unless the information concerned ought demonstrably to be published in the public interest and there is an over-riding need to make or promise payment for this to be done; and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure no financial dealings influence the evidence those witnesses give. In no circumstances should such payment be conditional on the outcome of a trial.
*iii) Any payment or offer of payment made to a person later cited to give evidence in proceedings must be disclosed to the prosecution and defence. The witness must be advised of this requirement.
16 *Payment to criminals
i) Payment or offers of payment for stories, pictures or information, which seek to exploit a particular crime or to glorify or glamorise crime in general, must not be made directly or via agents to convicted or confessed criminals or to their associates – who may include family, friends and colleagues.
ii) Editors invoking the public interest to justify payment or offers would need to demonstrate that there was good reason to believe the public interest would be served. If, despite payment, no public interest emerged, then the material should not be published.
* There may be exceptions where clauses are marked, referring to public interest
i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and - where appropriate - an apology published. In cases involving the Commission, prominence should be agreed with the PCC in advance.
iii) The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
iv) A publication must report fairly and accurately the outcome of an action for defamation to which it has been a party, unless an agreed settlement states otherwise, or an agreed statement is published.
2 Opportunity to reply
A fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for.
3 *Privacy
i) Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.
ii) Editors will be expected to justify intrusions into any individual's private life without consent. Account will be taken of the complainant's own public disclosures of information.
iii) It is unacceptable to photograph individuals in private places without their consent.
Note - Private places are public or private property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
4 *Harassment
i) Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.
ii) They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on their property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.
iii) Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use non-compliant material from other sources.
5 Intrusion into grief or shock
i) In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings, such as inquests.
*ii) When reporting suicide, care should be taken to avoid excessive detail about the method used.
6 *Children
i) Young people should be free to complete their time at school without unnecessary intrusion.
ii) A child under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child’s welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents.
iii) Pupils must not be approached or photographed at school without the permission of the school authorities.
iv) Minors must not be paid for material involving children’s welfare, nor parents or guardians for material about their children or wards, unless it is clearly in the child's interest.
v) Editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for publishing details of a child’s private life.
7 *Children in sex cases
1. The press must not, even if legally free to do so, identify children under 16 who are victims or witnesses in cases involving sex offences.
2. In any press report of a case involving a sexual offence against a child -
i) The child must not be identified.
ii) The adult may be identified.
iii) The word "incest" must not be used where a child victim might be identified.
iv) Care must be taken that nothing in the report implies the relationship between the accused and the child.
8 *Hospitals
i) Journalists must identify themselves and obtain permission from a responsible executive before entering non-public areas of hospitals or similar institutions to pursue enquiries.
ii) The restrictions on intruding into privacy are particularly relevant to enquiries about individuals in hospitals or similar institutions.
9 *Reporting of Crime
i) Relatives or friends of persons convicted or accused of crime should not generally be identified without their consent, unless they are genuinely relevant to the story.
ii) Particular regard should be paid to the potentially vulnerable position of children who witness, or are victims of, crime. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings.
10 *Clandestine devices and subterfuge
i) The press must not seek to obtain or publish material acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing digitally-held private information without consent.
ii) Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including by agents or intermediaries, can generally be justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means.
11 Victims of sexual assault
The press must not identify victims of sexual assault or publish material likely to contribute to such identification unless there is adequate justification and they are legally free to do so.
12 Discrimination
i) The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.
ii) Details of an individual's race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental illness or disability must be avoided unless genuinely relevant to the story.
13 Financial journalism
i) Even where the law does not prohibit it, journalists must not use for their own profit financial information they receive in advance of its general publication, nor should they pass such information to others.
ii) They must not write about shares or securities in whose performance they know that they or their close families have a significant financial interest without disclosing the interest to the editor or financial editor.
iii) They must not buy or sell, either directly or through nominees or agents, shares or securities about which they have written recently or about which they intend to write in the near future.
14 Confidential sources
Journalists have a moral obligation to protect confidential sources of information.
15 Witness payments in criminal trials
i) No payment or offer of payment to a witness - or any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness - should be made in any case once proceedings are active as defined by the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
This prohibition lasts until the suspect has been freed unconditionally by police without charge or bail or the proceedings are otherwise discontinued; or has entered a guilty plea to the court; or, in the event of a not guilty plea, the court has announced its verdict.
*ii) Where proceedings are not yet active but are likely and foreseeable, editors must not make or offer payment to any person who may reasonably be expected to be called as a witness, unless the information concerned ought demonstrably to be published in the public interest and there is an over-riding need to make or promise payment for this to be done; and all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure no financial dealings influence the evidence those witnesses give. In no circumstances should such payment be conditional on the outcome of a trial.
*iii) Any payment or offer of payment made to a person later cited to give evidence in proceedings must be disclosed to the prosecution and defence. The witness must be advised of this requirement.
16 *Payment to criminals
i) Payment or offers of payment for stories, pictures or information, which seek to exploit a particular crime or to glorify or glamorise crime in general, must not be made directly or via agents to convicted or confessed criminals or to their associates – who may include family, friends and colleagues.
ii) Editors invoking the public interest to justify payment or offers would need to demonstrate that there was good reason to believe the public interest would be served. If, despite payment, no public interest emerged, then the material should not be published.
* There may be exceptions where clauses are marked, referring to public interest
The Press Complaints Commission (PCC)
- The PCC was set up in 1991 to replace the Press Council
- It's an independent body that deals with complaints about editorial content for newspapers and magazines in the UK, this includes their websites
- The PCC is not a legal system, it is a voluntary organisation which allows the newspaper and magazine industry to be self-regulated without government interference
- The commission has a code of practice which is drawn up by a committee of editors, establishing what is acceptable conduct
- The commission primarily consists of public members - with 10/17 members having no connections to the press industry
- The PCC administers a 16 clause Code of Practice which acts as rules that editors and journalists must adhere to. They can be broken down into 4 main sections;
- It's an independent body that deals with complaints about editorial content for newspapers and magazines in the UK, this includes their websites
- The PCC is not a legal system, it is a voluntary organisation which allows the newspaper and magazine industry to be self-regulated without government interference
- The commission has a code of practice which is drawn up by a committee of editors, establishing what is acceptable conduct
- The commission primarily consists of public members - with 10/17 members having no connections to the press industry
- The PCC administers a 16 clause Code of Practice which acts as rules that editors and journalists must adhere to. They can be broken down into 4 main sections;
- Accuracy
- Privacy
- News gathering
- Protecting the vulnerable
- The PCC investigates complaints from people who believe that the code has been broken - either in a published article or in the way a journalist obtained material
- The PCC acts as mediator to help the editor and the complainant agree on a way to resolve the dispute where there is a problem (For example; apology, correction)
- If the problem cannot be settled in this way, the commission will assess the evidence from both sides in the dispute and will issue a formal judgement on the complaint
- If the commission upholds the complaint, the newspaper or magazine in question must publish the PCC's critical adjudication in full in a prominent place in the newspaper
- Sometimes the PCC will consider during the course of its investigation if the publication offers a remedial action and does not need further action - this could include publishing a correction or writing a private letter
- The PCC's code doesn't cover taste and decency as it's a democratic society (Freedom of speech etc.)
- The PCC is funded through the Press Standards Board of Finance (PressBof) which collects money from newspapers and magazines in the UK
- Each newspaper and magazine contributes in proportion to the number of people who buy and read it (Circulation)
- The service is free to members of the public and no contributions come from the public
- In 2007, 1.5%of complaints came from people in the public eye, with 95.8% from ordinary members of the public
- The Code provides special protection to particularly vulnerable groups such as children, hospital patients and those at risk of discrimination
- The majority of complaints regard regional newspapers as readers care about stories in their locality
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
The UK's Current Classification System
What are the pros and cons?
Pros;
- It is a clear, simple classification system, giving consumers a clear idea of the suitability of the film
- The BBFC update and renew their guidelines to keep up with changing public perceptions of what is acceptable, meaning the classification is up-to-date with society
- The 13 main issues they take into account when classifying a production are modern and in-keeping with societies values
- The BBFC only provide a guideline rating, local authorities can over rule their decision if they think the classification is incorrect
- Parents have a reliable, government approved classification system which they can trust - this means it is easy for them to know what is acceptable for their children to see
Cons;
- It could be argued that the classification system is only there to stop the public blaming the governement for damage to society caused through young children watching inappropriate films
- The BBFC can only classify the films, it is up to cinemas and parents to ensure the films are only seen by the appropriate audience - no one is accountable for what a child watches at home accept the parents
- It could be argued that it is not right to classify films based on age ratings - people mature at different ages and you cannot judge how a film will affect someone
- Most people are unaware of the information that is on offer - parents generally judge purely based on the rating, the BBFC parents website is not advertised so most people don't know of its existence
Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?
I think in some ways the way films are regulated is sensible, without a classification system there would be no way of parents judging what is suitable for their children to see. Ratings provide a general idea of whether a film will cause distress or harm to a person of a certain age or state of mind which is useful when deciding on whether to watch a film. It is also necessary to prevent the government or film production companies from being sued - if the correct information and classification is given to the film, it is down to the public to decide whether to watch it. If a film is in breach of the law or in danger of harming the public then certain scenes will be cut and in the past whole films have been scrapped altogether.
Having said that, the classification system can only prove useful to a certain point. Whilst cinemas and film distributors do their best to enforce the ratings system, there are ways around this and they cannot enforce what is watched by people at home. It is the parents responsibility to prevent their children from watching a film work that may scare or harm their child, and if the parents is not a responsible individual then a lot of the time this does not happen. The classification system cannot judge the way a film will be perceived an individual either, people will take what they want from a film and if they are mentally unstable then a film that followed the guidelines may still harm them and society.
Is there anything you think could be done to improve the system?
In my opinion there isn't much that could be done to improve the system. Perhaps films could instead be rated by their content rather than by being given an audience age guideline - this would be useful as children mature at different ages based on their circumstances. However, there would be no way of enforcing this system as it couldn't be judge just by looking at someone. Personally I don't think there is a foolproof way of stopping films reaching the 'wrong' people, mainly because once you are over 18 you can watch any film you want. This means that people that are potentially harmful to society can be influenced by films that are not deemed suitable for those under 18, even if they are likely to be less damaged by it. I think the information that is out there needs to be better promoted to give people an idea of the film they are going to see. The Parents BBFC website could be advertised at the beginning of U and PG films where parents are most likely to see it and this would give them a good idea of what is suitable for their children, as they know them best.
Pros;
- It is a clear, simple classification system, giving consumers a clear idea of the suitability of the film
- The BBFC update and renew their guidelines to keep up with changing public perceptions of what is acceptable, meaning the classification is up-to-date with society
- The 13 main issues they take into account when classifying a production are modern and in-keeping with societies values
- The BBFC only provide a guideline rating, local authorities can over rule their decision if they think the classification is incorrect
- Parents have a reliable, government approved classification system which they can trust - this means it is easy for them to know what is acceptable for their children to see
Cons;
- It could be argued that the classification system is only there to stop the public blaming the governement for damage to society caused through young children watching inappropriate films
- The BBFC can only classify the films, it is up to cinemas and parents to ensure the films are only seen by the appropriate audience - no one is accountable for what a child watches at home accept the parents
- It could be argued that it is not right to classify films based on age ratings - people mature at different ages and you cannot judge how a film will affect someone
- Most people are unaware of the information that is on offer - parents generally judge purely based on the rating, the BBFC parents website is not advertised so most people don't know of its existence
Do you think the way films are regulated is sensible, useful to society and achieves its aim of protecting the vulnerable and upholding the law?
I think in some ways the way films are regulated is sensible, without a classification system there would be no way of parents judging what is suitable for their children to see. Ratings provide a general idea of whether a film will cause distress or harm to a person of a certain age or state of mind which is useful when deciding on whether to watch a film. It is also necessary to prevent the government or film production companies from being sued - if the correct information and classification is given to the film, it is down to the public to decide whether to watch it. If a film is in breach of the law or in danger of harming the public then certain scenes will be cut and in the past whole films have been scrapped altogether.
Having said that, the classification system can only prove useful to a certain point. Whilst cinemas and film distributors do their best to enforce the ratings system, there are ways around this and they cannot enforce what is watched by people at home. It is the parents responsibility to prevent their children from watching a film work that may scare or harm their child, and if the parents is not a responsible individual then a lot of the time this does not happen. The classification system cannot judge the way a film will be perceived an individual either, people will take what they want from a film and if they are mentally unstable then a film that followed the guidelines may still harm them and society.
Is there anything you think could be done to improve the system?
In my opinion there isn't much that could be done to improve the system. Perhaps films could instead be rated by their content rather than by being given an audience age guideline - this would be useful as children mature at different ages based on their circumstances. However, there would be no way of enforcing this system as it couldn't be judge just by looking at someone. Personally I don't think there is a foolproof way of stopping films reaching the 'wrong' people, mainly because once you are over 18 you can watch any film you want. This means that people that are potentially harmful to society can be influenced by films that are not deemed suitable for those under 18, even if they are likely to be less damaged by it. I think the information that is out there needs to be better promoted to give people an idea of the film they are going to see. The Parents BBFC website could be advertised at the beginning of U and PG films where parents are most likely to see it and this would give them a good idea of what is suitable for their children, as they know them best.
Differences Between The Ratings
Below I have summarised the differences between classification ratings;
U -> PG
- Themes in a PG can be more grown up, but must not condone the behaviour and their treatment must be appropriate
- Sexual references can be joked about and mentioned in a PG, but only discreetly and infrequently
- Violence and Threat can be more frequent and stronger in a PG, but must be justified by its context
- Discriminatory Language may be allowed in a PG, but only if educationally or historically justified
- Drug use can be shown infrequently in a PG, but only with a suitable anti-drugs message
- Horror scenes are allowed in a PG if they are brief, horror in a fantasy world is more acceptable
PG -> 12A
- Themes in a 12A can be more mature, as their audience is young teenagers rather than children
- Sexual Activity can be portrayed in a 12A, but must be infrequent
- Drug Misuse can be portrayed in a 12A, but must not be glamorised or frequent
- Nudity can be portrayed in a sexual context at 12A, but must be brief and discreet
- Violence can be stronger in a 12A as long as it isn't dwelled upon. Sexual violence can be referred to
- Moderate Language can be used in a 12A as opposed to Mild Language in a PG, but must still be infrequent
- More dangerous imitable behaviour is allowed in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or in detail
- Discriminatory Language can be more aggressive in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or endorsed
12A -> 15
- Drugs Use can be shown more frequently in a 15 as long as it is not glamorised, promoted or shown in instructional detail
- Any level of Discriminatory Behaviour is allowed at 15, as long as it is not endorsed by the film as a whole
- Imitable behaviour is similar for 12A and 15 - weapons can be shown but not glamorised
- Nudity is allowed in a sexual context at 15, but must not be dwelled upon or detailed
- Strong verbal references to Sexual Behaviour is allowed at 15
- Stronger Threat and Horror is allowed, as long as it is not sexualised
- Violence is allowed more frequently in a 15, but must not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury
- No Theme is prohibited at 15, although the treatment must be suitable for the audience
15 -> 18
This shows the biggest jump in my opinion, as the audience is now adult and free to choose what they watch and consume;
- No criminal laws must be breached in an 18
- Risk of harm to society is still not allowed in an 18
- Sexualised Violence is allowed at 18
- Sexual Relationships are much more acceptable in an 18
- Clear images of real sex are forbidden in an 18
18 -> R18
- Clear images of real sex are allowed, unlike at 18
- Similar to all classification, no criminal laws must be breached
- Sexually Abusive behaviour and Sexual Violence is still not allowed
U -> PG
- Themes in a PG can be more grown up, but must not condone the behaviour and their treatment must be appropriate
- Sexual references can be joked about and mentioned in a PG, but only discreetly and infrequently
- Violence and Threat can be more frequent and stronger in a PG, but must be justified by its context
- Discriminatory Language may be allowed in a PG, but only if educationally or historically justified
- Drug use can be shown infrequently in a PG, but only with a suitable anti-drugs message
- Horror scenes are allowed in a PG if they are brief, horror in a fantasy world is more acceptable
PG -> 12A
- Themes in a 12A can be more mature, as their audience is young teenagers rather than children
- Sexual Activity can be portrayed in a 12A, but must be infrequent
- Drug Misuse can be portrayed in a 12A, but must not be glamorised or frequent
- Nudity can be portrayed in a sexual context at 12A, but must be brief and discreet
- Violence can be stronger in a 12A as long as it isn't dwelled upon. Sexual violence can be referred to
- Moderate Language can be used in a 12A as opposed to Mild Language in a PG, but must still be infrequent
- More dangerous imitable behaviour is allowed in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or in detail
- Discriminatory Language can be more aggressive in a 12A as long as it is not dwelled upon or endorsed
12A -> 15
- Drugs Use can be shown more frequently in a 15 as long as it is not glamorised, promoted or shown in instructional detail
- Any level of Discriminatory Behaviour is allowed at 15, as long as it is not endorsed by the film as a whole
- Imitable behaviour is similar for 12A and 15 - weapons can be shown but not glamorised
- Nudity is allowed in a sexual context at 15, but must not be dwelled upon or detailed
- Strong verbal references to Sexual Behaviour is allowed at 15
- Stronger Threat and Horror is allowed, as long as it is not sexualised
- Violence is allowed more frequently in a 15, but must not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury
- No Theme is prohibited at 15, although the treatment must be suitable for the audience
15 -> 18
This shows the biggest jump in my opinion, as the audience is now adult and free to choose what they watch and consume;
- No criminal laws must be breached in an 18
- Risk of harm to society is still not allowed in an 18
- Sexualised Violence is allowed at 18
- Sexual Relationships are much more acceptable in an 18
- Clear images of real sex are forbidden in an 18
18 -> R18
- Clear images of real sex are allowed, unlike at 18
- Similar to all classification, no criminal laws must be breached
- Sexually Abusive behaviour and Sexual Violence is still not allowed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)