1. What is the nature of contemporary media regulation compared to previous practice? (FILM)
Changing social attitudes mean changes to the nature of the key issues and how they are dealt with by BBFC – sex, drugs, violence etc
Our culture and society has changed and the law has been changed and modernised to reflect this
In light of the internet and changing nature of audience consumption, traditional regulatory practices are perceived as less relevant
Audiences worry more about the internet and children now, and less about films at cinema or on dvd
Classification rather than censorship – the Board’s title has changed
More relaxed about nudity, sex and language
Tightened up on sexual violence , imitable use of weapons (knife crime), self-harm
The guidelines are revised and published every 5 years now eg 2009 addition of discrimination to reflect a diverse society
The Board has changed its attitude to the public and public opinion
More openness, less secrecy. More information about reasons for classification than the past – eg PBBFC
Better range of examiners at the BBFC to reflect social equality
The Harm Test is critical now; enshrined in law
Introduction of 12A - parents encouraged to decide

2. What are the wider social issues relating to media regulation? (FILM)
Government and society using the media as scapegoat for societies ills
Reinforcement of social norms through moral panics (press headlines)
Rights and responsibilities in society – who is/should be in control?
Comparison of our own system with other nations
Changing media consumption habits and changing audience expectations
As the media converges and the world shrinks, does regulatory practice need to change? The future of film regulation is in serious doubt
The ‘nanny state’ - consideration of protection, the harm test and the belief in negative effects, desensitisation etc
Issue of teenagers – the reality of their evolving lifestyles and expectations not enough of a consideration – talk to them, a real study of the nature of teenagers lives today essential
Better understanding of the nature of audience consumption especially with children. Arguments about fantasy/reality
The need to protect the film industry to make ‘challenging’ films. Film as art should be allowed to push boundaries- not be sanitised ‘just in case’.

3. How effective are regulatory practices? (Film)
Perhaps as effective as they can be in the current climate
Less effective as a result of internet – audiences can consume what they want and control own consumption
Limited or no evidence that age classifications actually work or are enforced successfully to protect audiences
Strict regulation should in theory lead to low crime rates, but not the case in practice
Global approach to film consumption – audiences can illegally download pretty much anything and pass it on
Technology is way ahead of regulation practice
Nature of internet difficult regulate as global/ international not local/ national
Starting to take on websites, some efforts are already being made by BBFC and sites for children
Film regulation likely to become advisory for audience in the future
Examples of legal and illegal downloading and costs to industry
Digital Economy Act hopes to address this but audiences may feel criminalised and may stop paying altogether

4. What are the arguments for and against specific forms of contemporary media regulation?