Contemporary Media Regulation – What needs regulating?

To put it simply, EVERY film in the UK which is released in cinemas today must be regulated by the BBFC with an age-rating. However, it is not just films which need regulation as the media industry is much larger and there are now a diverse selection of different media formats. Newspapers, magazines, video games, music videos, advertising and of course films may all be viewed by the modern person in the 21st century as part of their normal, everyday life. Consequently, regulation must be applied to a multitude of different formats in order to protect the public from seeing potentially damaging media.

• Music videos are an example of a type of media which requires regulation. Today, with the internet, YouTube and numerous music channels, music videos are easily accessible. Music videos may also be played in public locations, such as in shops, gyms, restaurants; and so they can literally be viewed by the majority of audiences. The problem with this is that music videos can be very impressionable to audience members, and unfortunately it is the case that many audience members feel that the people portrayed in these sorts of music videos are role models. This can be related to the previous theory of Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze, as often women in music videos today are subject to a form of objectification and it can make society feel that it is more widely acceptable.
• Video games today, are said to be played by more than 1.2 billion people worldwide. It is a growing industry and as technology is seeing constant improvements, video games are becoming more and more vivid, and are becoming more and more like films in that respect. It may be hard for more vulnerable audiences to see a difference between reality and a highly vivid modern video games. As a result, regulation is required. Additionally, with video games unlike many of the other forms of media, the player is in control more and acts as less of a passive audience member and more of an active one.
• Films are probably the most well known form of media which is regulated. Films can be vivd in nature and immersive, so for more vulnerable audiences, distinguishing between reality and the world of film can be more challenging.
• not have a detrimental effect upon society.