music video regulations

Music Video Regulations

Music Video Regulations

By Bobby Salt

Banned Music Videos

Eminem Just Lose It: Inappropriate and disrespectful was the quote used by Michael Jackson when referring to Eminems representation of him. Once Michael Jackson spoke out saying this, Black Entertainment Television banned the video; a video which depicted MJ on a bed, with children and he had no nose. Madonna, Pee-Wee Herman and Vanilla Ice all also featured within the video but didnt make as much of a complaint compared to MJ, mainly due to the fact that he was fighting child molestation charges at the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dcVOmEQzKA

M.I.A Born Free: This video depicted a young boy being blown up as well as another young boy being shot in the head referring to redhead genocide. Nudity is visible as well as the violence, which resulted in Youtube banning the video, (although the video has been made available since). Racist connotations have been debated by thousands of people since the videos re-availability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeMvUlxXyz8

High Power Authorities BBFC & OFCOM

BBFC controls regulations for music videos but they dont tend to add age restricting rules unless it contains adult-content. Recently, there was a consultation launched by the government to restrict the sexualisation of children in music videos. The outcome was that the Video Recordings Act should be amended to restrict the likelihood of this sort of content surfacing through media.

OFCOM regulate what goes on everybody's TV screen- if the public doesnt like what they are seeing, then they can complain directly of OFCOM. OFCOM operates under the Communications Act 2003.

As a fully independent video source, YouTube can decide whether an artists video is inappropriate for their website. This means that artists are unable to upload it to their official channel. However the video may find its way onto the website through other unofficial channels.

Implementing Regulations Difficulties

BBFC can have extreme difficulties when it comes to preventing people from uploading inappropriate content as online content can be published freely and anybody can produce the content. In an attempt to prevent such content being uploaded, BBFC have requested certain members of an online community to report content thats considered unlawful or explicit.

Further problems could also be the creation of fake accounts by young children lying about their age in order to view such content. For example, the simple change of a date of birth could allow a 10 year old the access to an 18 rated video.

The primary reasoning for age restrictions is to prevent younger children from accessing explicit videos that could be seen as a bad influence or upsetting. Youtube is being questioned as to whether its doing enough to protect children from viewing such content. Defences and restrictions can be hacked within systems and websites to be able to upload explicit content in order to get viewings.

Click to edit Master title style

Click to edit Master text styles

Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000


Click to edit Master subtitle style

1/1/2000



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000



1/1/2000



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level


Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000




Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000


1/1/2000

1/1/2000



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level


1/1/2000


Click icon to add picture


1/1/2000


Click icon to add picture


1/1/2000



1/1/2000




1/1/2000



1/1/2000




1/1/2000




1/1/2000



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000



Second level

Third level

Fourth level

Fifth level

1/1/2000

music video regulations

Internet