Media Regulation

Why regulation?

The media is regulated for a number of reasons, including;

• Protecting consumers from explicit content, extremist views, etc.
• Potentially preventing bias in journalism through the presentation of personal viewpoints.
• Preventing personal or confidential information being leaked.

Who regulates?

OFCOM - The broadcast regulation authority. Established in 2003 to 'further the interests of citizens and consumers by enforcing regulatory rules'. 

BBFC - British Board of Film Classification. Established in 1912 to 'bring a degree of uniformity to independent censorship standards'.

There are 3 inter-related areas of media regulation...

Economic - Economically powerful groups, sponsors and advertisers limit the content of media texts.

Cultural - Audience values and attitudes limit the content that producers of the media can create.

Legal - Parliament or government organisations regulate content, e.g. the BBFC or the Video Recording Act (1984).

Complaints can be filed against the media within these subcategories...

• Accuracy
• Oppurtunity to reply
• Privacy
• Harassment
• Children, and children in sex cases
• Hospitals
• Reporting of crime
• Clandestine devices and subertfuge (secrecy, decieit and concealment)
• Victims of sexual assault
• Discrimination
• Financial journalism
• Confidential sources
• Witness payments in criminal trials
• Payments to criminals