Regualtions of the media sector - REBECCA

Ofcom – regulate all communications of media sectors

ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) – regulate advertisements

BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) – classifies films under age ratings

PEGI (Pan European Game Information) – regulate and classifies video games

IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) – regulates press

Which media sector does the body regulate?

How does each body enforce it's regulatory powers?

What are the consequences of not adhering to the regulator's rules and codes of practice?

Why is it important to have regulation in the media industries?

Ofcom formed in December 2003 and is the communications regulator in the UK. Ofcom regulates the TV, radio and telephone media sectors. Ofcom's role includes securing a wide range of electronic communications services is available in the UK, securing a wide range of TV and radio services are available in the UK and provides protection for viewers from harmful content on any TV or radio services. If services do not stick to the regulator's rules and codes of practice, Ofcom has powers to punish those who act unlawfully or breach regulatory requirements. Ofcom can make sure a program that breaches regulations not to go on air again and can punish the television companies that are involved in the program. It is important to maintain regulation of TV and radio services to make sure people in the UK get the best from their communication services and are protected from various scams or sharp practices that can affect audiences in the UK.

ASA is the UK's independent regulator of advertising in the media industries. ASA works include acting on complaints given from the people of the UK and to always check every kind of media and to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing. They consider over 30,000 complaints and over 20,000 adverts each year. There are consequences that the ASA sanction to make sure they are not shown again. Broadcasts might face bad publicity if they are complaints given to the ASA. They cannot show advertisements that breach the code and advertisers might lose prime advertising slots and are disqualified from industry awards, denying them to show their work ever again. It is important to have regulations for advertising because they are made sure they aren't shown again on television services if they are deemed offensive and cause controversy amongst an audience.