The BBFC & Classification

           The BBFC & Classification:

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent film company that is not under the government. It has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984. The British Board of Film Censors was established in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a level of consistency to the classification of film all over the country.

Cinemas:

Legal powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films they reject, banning films they have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or changing categories for films exhibited under their own licensing authority.

Videos:

In 1984, Parliament approved of the Video Recordings Act. This act stated that, according to certain exemptions, an authority chosen by the secretary of State must classify video recordings offered for sale or hire in the United Kingdom. The President and Vice Presidents of the BBFC were so designated, and charged with applying the new test of ‘suitability for viewing in the home’. At this point the Board’s title was changed to the British Board of Film Classification to show the fact that classification plays a far huge part in the BBFC’s work than just censorship.

Finances:

The BBFC is a not for profit organization, and its fees are the same as what is required to cover its costs. In order to protect its independence, the BBFC has never received subsidies from the film industry or the government. Its income comes only from the amount it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. The Department must approve the tariff for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Presidential tier is responsible for formulating and ensuring the execution of policy, management of the BBFC and handling external relations with the industry, the public and relevant bodies.

The BBFC & UK law:

The most important part of legislation to affect BBFC classification standards is the Video Recordings Act 1984. This Act requires all ‘video works’ (films, TV programmes, video games, etc) which are supplied on a disc, tape or any other device able of storing data electronically to be classified by the BBFC, unless they fall within the categorization of an exempted work.

Under this Act, the BBFC is obliged to have ‘special regard’ (among other relevant factors) to the likelihood of video works being viewed in the home, and to any harm that may be caused to potential viewers or, through their behaviour, to society by the manner in which the work deals with criminal behaviour, illegal drugs, violent behaviour or incidents, horrific behaviour or incidents, and human sexual activity. In considering these issues, the BBFC needs to be aware of the effects not only on children but also on other vulnerable groups.

The Human Rights Act 1998 establishes the right to freedom of expression, and the BBFC has to have regard to the impact of its decisions on the rights of any relevant person. The Act, however, allows such restrictions on freedom of expression as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society. These include the prevention of disorder or crime and the protection of health and morals.

The Public Order Act 1986 makes it illegal to distribute or play to the public a recording of images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting if the intention is to stir up racial hatred or hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. Images and sounds, which are threatening if the intention is to cause religious hatred, are also banned.