Unit 8 - Legal & Ethical Considerations in the TV and Film industies

 Legal & Ethical considerations in the TV and Film industry

Ethical (Dictionary) – Dealing with morals or principles of morality. Following the rules or standards as a profession for right conduct or practice.

Ethical considerations that professionals have to face in the media industry are:

• Codes of conduct

• Policies and procedures

• Emerging social concerns and expectations

• Repressention. E.g. individual, groups, religions, issues

British Board of Film Classification (BBFC)

The BBFC is a non-governmental organization that governs the national classification and censorship of films within the UK. They will evaluate the certificate rating for films by judging the content within the film. The BBFC use the classification guideline to help judge the film. In February 2014 a new classification guideline has been placed which regulates the use of swearing, violence and sexual nature within TV and film. Although these need to be checked for the safety of the viewers sometimes they are needed so purpose the film is shown. An example of this is could be a documentary about slavery and within the show there could be an extensive use of violence and to get a 15 certificate the BBFC will ask for part of the documentary to be taken out. This organisation is funded by the film industry.     

Forty-two years after the release of The Railway Children the BBFC have raised a concern that the film may encourage children to play on railway tracks after watching the film. The censor said, “The Railway Children is set in the Edwardian period and trains and access to railway property are very different today”. The film had always been a U rating, which means suitable for all but the BBFC website wants to draw attention to the fact that the “playing on railway lines was in an archaic context”.

Popular action film, The Hunger Games had to remove some scenes of violent detail to be classified as a 12A. 

Tim Masters. (2013). BBFC gets first Railway Children complaint. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23270980. Last accessed 25th June 2014.

Ofcom
Ofcom regulates the television industry. It protects the public from what may be considered harmful or offensive material. They have the power to sew broadcasters. Not because of illegal content but more so content which is unethical. An example of TV content that could be deemed as unethical is in an episode of Coronation Street that aired on 11/06/14. In the episode someone is called Benefit Street as an insult. I watched it yesterday and thought that people who where featured in Benefit Street or people in the UK on benefits may take offense and complain at ITV for using the word “benefit” as an insult.   


There are other laws effecting the film and television industries:

• Broadcasting Act 1990 This was put in place when satellite TV became available and when more channels started. Before this act was in place the four available channels that were free. The BBC only showed programs that were made by the BBC and now because of this act the have to source 25% of their output from independent production companies. These “indies” have to meet BBC requirements like using BBC approved cameras.   
  

• Race Relation Act 1976 This act is to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin in the field of employment and public functions.
  

Contractural
Employment can be classified as: full-time, fixed term and freelance. If you were working for the BBC you will have to take a Legal and Ethical based test to make sure you react and handle situations professionally. You can try these tests at the BBC Safeguarding Trust. These tests shows that even companies have set professional standards that they want their employees to follow. If you can handle and understand these ethical codes of practice you can be seen as professional and reliable. 

When working freelance there are legal obligations you need to fulfil. Release forms are required because it prevents the producers from being sued for using peoples image without permission. These forms are required from everyone who is involved in the film. When completed is means that contributors have agreed for the film to use their content. 

It is important to know that your liability is covered. Employer's liability insurance will cover any damages towards health and saftey.