Unit 1-A1-Legal Issues and Regulations

Unit 1 Legal Issues

The key media institutions which are responsible for regulating/controlling the industry that I know of are the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority), BBFC (British Board of film classification) and OFCOM (Office of Communication) who are also communiaction regulators. These three organisations make sure that the content shown/produced are decent and appropiate for the target audience (age).

Example of their works:

1. ASA Banned tv advert of a halloween menacing clown which scared children due to complaints from parents. It is their job to order the ad as it was not very pleasing.
2. BBFC banned films such as "Hate crimes" because it basically promoted terrorism, mutilation, physical and sexual abuse of a jewish family during the Nazi times.
3. Ofcom bans 'derogatory' faggot advert. This ad was banned  because it had the word "faggot" in it which was classed as being abusive.

 

BECTU (The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union)

Negotiating pay, conditions and contracts with employers

Personal advice and representation for individual members

Advice and representation on health and safety

Benefit and services for BECTU members

Training support and courses

Networking events and career development opportunities

Union journal, Stage Screen and Radio, published six times a year.

Website designed to improve access to the union's advice and support.

Clearance and Copyright

In the TV or film production it is important to consider legal issues because it is very easy to get in to trouble. For example, if you wanted to use somebody an artists music in your film, you will need to get permission (clearance) from the owners and there'd probably be a fee to pay. If you dont ask for permission then you can charged under the copyright and patent law which could mean paying a huge sum or going to prison.


An example is the case of Starwars VS. Battlestar Galactica where Galactica owners were accussed of stealing 34 sort of ideas from Starwars even ideas from starwars episodes from years ago (1977). This case ended with the disappearance of Galactica.