1970 – The age limit on the ‘X’ certificate is raised from 16 to 18. The advisory ‘U’ and ‘A’ certificates are introduced along with the ‘AA’ certificate that allows admission to those aged 14 and over.
1982 – BBFC certificates are overhauled after the introduction of the ‘PG’, ‘15’, ‘18’ and ‘R18’ categories.
1984 – The Video Recordings Act is passed because of the introduction of video into the UK.
The BBFC is designated authority for classifying video in the home.
1989 – Tim Burtons Batman is the first film to use the 12 certificate.
The new classification can only be used for theatrical releases.
2002 – The Bourne Identity becomes the first film to use the 12A certificate
Monday, 12 March 2012
Monday, 5 March 2012
BBFC film classification - 1960's
The swinging sixties; an increase in public tolerance and an iconic time in social change may have helped films to progress and start to become more explicit. The BBFC was still inclined to make cuts, but usually for verbal and visual indecencies.
By the end of the decade, Sam Pekinpahs' classic western 'The Wild Bunch' had pushed violence to new levels. It gained an X rating with cuts equalling ten seconds. However, scenes that were cut included shots of bullets causing blood spatter when hitting a body and a man looking to be gloating when firing a machine gun at the mexican army.
The director argued that films do not portray a genuine representation of violence and horror. He stated that films are made to show a hollywood cinematic portrayal - something that undermines the art of cinematography but also the harshness and reality of life.
'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' is a good example of how the classification of films have changed with time. During its script stage, concerns were expressed over the level of violence, severity of language and a theme of abortion. At time of release it received an X rating in the UK, However in 2005 the film was released as 15 on video.
By the end of the decade, Sam Pekinpahs' classic western 'The Wild Bunch' had pushed violence to new levels. It gained an X rating with cuts equalling ten seconds. However, scenes that were cut included shots of bullets causing blood spatter when hitting a body and a man looking to be gloating when firing a machine gun at the mexican army.
The director argued that films do not portray a genuine representation of violence and horror. He stated that films are made to show a hollywood cinematic portrayal - something that undermines the art of cinematography but also the harshness and reality of life.
'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning' is a good example of how the classification of films have changed with time. During its script stage, concerns were expressed over the level of violence, severity of language and a theme of abortion. At time of release it received an X rating in the UK, However in 2005 the film was released as 15 on video.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Chequebook Journalism - evaluation
The most obvious argument for banning chequebook journalism is the unreliability of the witness. There is reason to believe that a witness who has been offered money, may be tempted to exaggerate their evidence to justify their fee or hold certain information to be used in publication later.
The unreliability of a witness can be the cause of a false prosecution.
As well as financial investment influencing witness testimony, there is question over whether certain stories are worth knowing about - are they in the public interest?
It is possible that entire court appearances could be avoided if false claims were not given in the first place.
A final reason for banning chequebook journalism is that the practice destroys journalistic credibility. By paying for a story the natural progression the interview and story can not take place, as the agenda could be pre-determined.
Chequebook journalism does have arguments for it it stay however.
It is perfectly legitimate for certain professionals; such as doctors, members of government to request payment for their specialized knowledge and time taken up.
Without these payments, credible and useful information could be lost to the public who could benefit from it.
The unreliability of a witness can be the cause of a false prosecution.
As well as financial investment influencing witness testimony, there is question over whether certain stories are worth knowing about - are they in the public interest?
It is possible that entire court appearances could be avoided if false claims were not given in the first place.
A final reason for banning chequebook journalism is that the practice destroys journalistic credibility. By paying for a story the natural progression the interview and story can not take place, as the agenda could be pre-determined.
Chequebook journalism does have arguments for it it stay however.
It is perfectly legitimate for certain professionals; such as doctors, members of government to request payment for their specialized knowledge and time taken up.
Without these payments, credible and useful information could be lost to the public who could benefit from it.
Chequebook Journalism
Chequebook journalism is a form of journalism where a journalist pays the subject of the work money for the right to publish his/her story.
Monday, 23 January 2012
Statutory Law
Statutory Law is a written law set down by a legislature, and is reviewed in the house of commons, then the house of lords or vice versa. It is a time consuming process that can be adapted and manipulated many times.
Leveson Inquiry - Do current regulations need to change
The issue of regulations in the media.
When it comes to monitoring the actions of media, it is clear that there is fault in those with whom, the responsibility lies.
Take into account also, the belated arrival of an inquiry - tasked with phishing details out of offenses that occurred years ago - and the issue of regulations within the media magnifies.
It is important for The Leveson Inquiry to ask questions into not only why such 'atrocities' took place, but why those regulations were broken in the first place.
The PCC - press complaints commission - has the means to make sure immoral and criminal behaviors are avoided, but lacks the authority to enforce statuary law.
When it comes to monitoring the actions of media, it is clear that there is fault in those with whom, the responsibility lies.
Take into account also, the belated arrival of an inquiry - tasked with phishing details out of offenses that occurred years ago - and the issue of regulations within the media magnifies.
It is important for The Leveson Inquiry to ask questions into not only why such 'atrocities' took place, but why those regulations were broken in the first place.
The PCC - press complaints commission - has the means to make sure immoral and criminal behaviors are avoided, but lacks the authority to enforce statuary law.
Monday, 16 January 2012
notes on news international phone hacking
news international - pressure to obtain information however necessary.
senior execs at news of the world decided what news stories to publish
the mirror used southern investigations to access info on the royal family
trojans used to hack into personal computers
southern investigations was used by news international to obtain info
police officials paid to give info on investigations
independent inquiry needed because scotland yard to heavily involved with phone hacking
senior execs at news of the world decided what news stories to publish
the mirror used southern investigations to access info on the royal family
trojans used to hack into personal computers
southern investigations was used by news international to obtain info
police officials paid to give info on investigations
independent inquiry needed because scotland yard to heavily involved with phone hacking
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Press Complaints Commission Answers
1. Press Complaints Commission
2. The PCC is an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints about
the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites).
3. Accuracy
Opportunity To Reply
Privacy
Harassment
Intrusion Into Grief Or Shock
Children
Children In Sex cases
Hospitals
Reporting Of Crime
Clandestine Devices And Subterfuge
Victims Of Sexual Assault
Discrimination
Financial Journalism
Confidential Sources
Witness Payments In Criminal Trials
Payment To Criminals
2. The PCC is an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints about
the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites).
3. Accuracy
Opportunity To Reply
Privacy
Harassment
Intrusion Into Grief Or Shock
Children
Children In Sex cases
Hospitals
Reporting Of Crime
Clandestine Devices And Subterfuge
Victims Of Sexual Assault
Discrimination
Financial Journalism
Confidential Sources
Witness Payments In Criminal Trials
Payment To Criminals
The Press And Regulation
During the 17th century, many forms of publication told both news and rumours. Such publications include pamphlets, posters and ballads.
It was not until later that news periodicals emerged, being published in weekly intervals - Johann Carolus' Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien is regarded the first news periodical: published in Strassburg in 1605.
The Court Of Star Chamber (an English court of law) banned all news formats considered 'news books' in 1632, after complaints from Spanish and Austrian diplomats argued that coverage of the Thirty Years war had been bias in its authenticity.
Rights to print were strictly controlled in England in the 17th Century; probably the reason for the first newspaper in English was printed in Amsterdam in 1620.
This high level of control over printing did ease however after the Star Chamber ended in 1641.
The 17th for Britain in terms of its printed media was influential. The demand for news escalated as a result of The Civil War. News-pamphlets and books reported such events but did not provide the independent viewpoint expected of newspapers today; instead printing news that often supported one side or the other.
Publications including the London Gazette came about during time of The Licensing Act of 1662, followed by an increasing number of titles after the Acts lapse.
It was not until the aftermath or the Second World War that a Royal Commission on the Press was established. The start of the modern system of press regulation.
In 1949 recommendations for the behaviour of the print media - ranging from conditions of employment, training, issues with ownership and promoting the interests of the consumers - to be governed were formed.
A number of authoritative rulings on press freedom and published guidance booklets; brought out by the Press Council in the late 60's early 70's were the first activist movements seen by the government.
The Press Council was heavily criticized in the 80's and lost the confidence of many in the media industry. Tabloids used unethical journalism and intrusions in news that they published.
It was not until later that news periodicals emerged, being published in weekly intervals - Johann Carolus' Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien is regarded the first news periodical: published in Strassburg in 1605.
The Court Of Star Chamber (an English court of law) banned all news formats considered 'news books' in 1632, after complaints from Spanish and Austrian diplomats argued that coverage of the Thirty Years war had been bias in its authenticity.
Rights to print were strictly controlled in England in the 17th Century; probably the reason for the first newspaper in English was printed in Amsterdam in 1620.
This high level of control over printing did ease however after the Star Chamber ended in 1641.
The 17th for Britain in terms of its printed media was influential. The demand for news escalated as a result of The Civil War. News-pamphlets and books reported such events but did not provide the independent viewpoint expected of newspapers today; instead printing news that often supported one side or the other.
Publications including the London Gazette came about during time of The Licensing Act of 1662, followed by an increasing number of titles after the Acts lapse.
It was not until the aftermath or the Second World War that a Royal Commission on the Press was established. The start of the modern system of press regulation.
In 1949 recommendations for the behaviour of the print media - ranging from conditions of employment, training, issues with ownership and promoting the interests of the consumers - to be governed were formed.
A number of authoritative rulings on press freedom and published guidance booklets; brought out by the Press Council in the late 60's early 70's were the first activist movements seen by the government.
The Press Council was heavily criticized in the 80's and lost the confidence of many in the media industry. Tabloids used unethical journalism and intrusions in news that they published.
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