Assignment 3C

Race Relations Act 1976:

The Race Relations Act 1976 was established by the parliament of the United Kingdom to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race.

Items that are covered include discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin in the fields of employment, the provision of goods and services, education and public functions.

The Act incorporates the earlier Race Relations Act 1965 and Race Relations Act 1968 and was later amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, notably including a statutory duty on public bodies to promote race equality, and to demonstrate that procedures to prevent race discrimination are effective.

This Amendment relates to the Film and TV film industry as it prevents producers and executives from discriminating against others in an unfair way, or not giving someone a job based on the employers prejudices against the person.

This law is crucial for society, as it prevents racism or discrimination, especially in the workspace and businesses.

Broadcasting Act 1990:

The Broadcasting Act 1990 is a law of the British parliament, which led directly to the abolition of the Independent Broadcasting Authority and its replacement with the Independent Television Commission and Radio Authority (both themselves now replaced by Ofcom), which were given the remit of regulating with a "lighter touch" and did not have such strong powers as the IBA; some referred to this as "deregulation". The ITC also began regulating non-terrestrial channels, whereas the IBA had only regulated ITV, Channel 4 and British Satellite Broadcasting; the ITC thus took over the responsibilities of the Cable Authority that had regulated the early non-terrestrial channels, which were only available to a very small audience in the 1980s.

This law is very important because it regulates the viewing content and censors programs that could be deemed offensive or inappropriate for the scheduled time.

Obscene Publications Act 1959:

The law makes it an offence to publish, whether for gain or not, any content whose effect will tend to "deprave and corrupt" those likely to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it. This could include images of extreme sexual activity such as bestiality, necrophilia, rape or torture.

This is a vital aspect of the TV and film industry as well as other forms of publishing (like poster advertising), as it makes sure that nothing obscene or inappropriate reaches the audience, which would have otherwise lead to complaints and bad publicity for the broadcaster, distributor and/or film production company.

BBFC:

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. The BBFC decide and moderate the age ratings for films in the UK, for example if a film contains violence and bad language they can rate the film either 15 or 18, depending on the obscenities. However if a film is deemed appropriate for all audiences, it will be rated U, meaning it is suitable for all.

The BBFC’s Aims are to: Issue trusted age ratings and content advice in accordance with their

published Guidelines, drawn from large-scale public consultations and specialist research

Be fair and transparent in how they conduct their business Ensure information relating to their products and services are clear and

understandable Provide cost-effective statutory and non-statutory content labelling

services for business of all sizes, reinvesting income to deliver further value

Promote and protect the creative industries through their support to law enforcement agencies and their extensive education programme.

Ofcom:

Ofcom is the communications regulator. They regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.

They 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 – Ofcom 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 they do. Accountable to Parliament, They 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.

Ofcom’s 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 I Have Learnt:

Personally, the research I found for assignment 2 very interesting as I learnt a lot about the different jobs in the TV and film industry and made me think about the kind of jobs I’d like to take up as a career or possibly part time. This information from all of the assignments have given me a great insight into the inner workings of the industry and I now feel more equipped and prepared to become a part of it.