Legal Considerations

• the bbfc will generally not classfiy anything that breaks the law but has some exceptions - for example if an old western contains some scenes of animal cruelty then it could still be allowed on accounts that its outdated/wasnt breaking the law at the time
• in some cases they have to make a decision on if something which is perhaps borderline is breaking the law - for example swallowing a goldfish in Jackass
• similarly it has to constantly move with the times and new technologies and new scenarios to make sure that it can give a consistant message of what is or isnt illegal

RELAVANT LAWS

• Human Rights Act 1998 - right to freedom of expression and respect
• The Licensing Act 2003 - required by cinemas to limit under 18 viewing
• Video Recording Act 1984 - all videos, DVDs and similar storage devices must be classified
• The Obscene Publications Act 1959 and 1964 - illegal for work to be obscene
• Criminal Justice and Immigrations Act 2008 - banning extreme pornographic image
• The Protection of Children Act 1978 - no real or pseudo pictures of indecent children
• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 - illegal to indecently expose self, or record unconsenting party
• The Public Order Act 1986 - illegal for material to stir up hatred over race, religion or sexuality
• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 -  illegal to show cruelty to animals
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 - illegal to show animal fight in GB since 2007
• The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 - cant advertise tobacco/cigarettes