Media Regulations

Media regulation is the control or guidance of mass media usually agreed by governments and media organisation which is sometimes overseen by an independent regulatory body who may have the power to issue fines or warnings.

Media regulation was brought in due to the issues raised by the public from online videos and TV showing violence, drug abuse and nudity. People believed that violence in the eye of the public readily available was making children violent, so the regulations came out to help protect those not suitable to view such content.

The BBFC regulates videos, TV and films it assess the content and gives them a national certificate of the appropriate age range that is suitable. Vevo and YouTube, two of the most widely used video streaming websites online are both in partnership with the BBFC, they have a pilot scheme to age rate all music videos by artists signed to Sony Music UK, Universal Music UK and Warner Music UK that are unsuitable for younger children (under 12s).

The sort of issues the BBFC considers in classifying music videos include:

• drug misuse 
• dangerous behaviour presented as safe
• bad language
• sexual behaviour and nudity
• threatening behaviour and violence 

Ofcom is another regulator like the BBFC and is the communications regulator in the UK. They regulate the TV, radio and video on demand sectors and music.

The current Parental Advisory warning label, introduced in 1996. The Parental Advisory label is a warning label which was originally created for guidance of content they're about to listen to, however over time the Parental Advisory label has become much of a fashion aspect rather than a protection from bad language and adult content.

Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" original video was banned due to the nudity, provocative nature of the video and some viewed the video as promoting sexualisation of women and also other controversial topics. It has been banned completely on YouTube and has been replaced now with a more 'appropriate' video that fits YouTube's restrictions. The unrated version is now only available on VEVO and YouTube VEVO channels and isn't shown anywhere else such as TV, etc.

The banned and now age restricted video.


The new video meeting YouTube and TVs regulations.