Assignment 2 - Legal Elements (Research)

Legal Elements - Research (Definition)

Broadcasting Act 1990 - Law of the British parliament, often regarded by both its supporters and its critics as a quintessential example of Thatcherism. The aim of the Act was to reform the entire structure of British broadcasting; British television, in particular, had earlier been described by Margaret Thatcher as "the last bastion of restrictive practices". The act came about after the finding from the Peacock Committee. (This may effect film in the way that the structure of films are produced and how time consuming the process may be, and it may effect radio in what the station were eligible to play and what is classed as inappropriate.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcasting_Act_1990)

Official Secrets Act 1989 – The Official Secrets Act 1989 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that repeals and replaces section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911, thereby removing the public interest defence created by that section. (This may affect the film industry in regards to what is eligible to sell or not depending on how much the content will interest the viewers, similar with radio and their listeners.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Secrets_Act_1989)

Obscene Publications Act 1959 and later amendments – The Obscene Publications Act 1959 applies to television and covers material which is obscene, whether it is in a person's possession or it is published or broadcast. The definition of obscene is "likely to deprave and corrupt" the audience for which it is intended and includes not only sexually explicit material but material relating to violence and drug taking. This offence is more likely to apply to research material than material actually transmitted because of the stricter tests relating to harm and offence under the Communications Act 2003 and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. (Majorly effect the target audience for films depending on what is classed as obscene and disturbing to viewers. Effects radio in what they are allowed to say on air dependent on whether it is offensive or not.) (Via http://www.channel4.com/producers-handbook/media-law/other-laws-affecting-broadcasting/obscene-publications-act-1959)

Films Act 1985 – An Act to repeal the Films Acts 1960 to 1980; to make further provision with respect to the financing of films; and for connected purposes. (Affecting film in the budget they have for produces films, effecting radio in budget on equipment and setup.) (Via http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/21)

Video Recordings Act 1984 – The Video Recordings Act 1984 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that was passed in 1984. It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or for hire within the UK must carry a classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the Home Office. (May effect film the amount of sales but lower the possibility of pirated copies being produced. Does not seem to effect Radio.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Recordings_Act_1984)

Race Relations Act 1976 and later amendments – The Race Relations Act 1976 was established by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to prevent discrimination on the grounds of race. (Effects film in regards to historical based plots where racial slurs may be involved and promotes the message that everyone is equal. Effects radio in what is allowed to be said in regards to what is offensive to the listeners.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_Relations_Act_1976) (Example: Jewish school breaks Race Relations Act // A leading Jewish school, JFS in Brent, broke the Race Relations Act by refusing admission to a boy because his mother was not officially recognised as a Jew, the Court of Appeal has ruled.)

Human Rights Act 1998 – The Human Rights Act 1998 (also known as the Act or the HRA) came into force in the United Kingdom in October 2000. It is composed of a series of sections that have the effect of codifying the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. (Affecting film in the messages they portray in plots and what is based as unfair and the range of people eligible to act in regards to all race, religions and ethnicities being equal, affecting radio in the messages sent out to the public based on the presenter’s opinions.) (Via http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/human-rights/what-are-human-rights/human-rights-act) (Example: Burma committed ethnic cleansing against thousands of Rohingya Muslims; 28 children hacked to death and mass graves uncovered.)

Licensing Act and later amendments – The Licensing Act 2003 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act establishes a single integrated scheme for licensing premises which are used for the sale or supply of alcohol, to provide regulated entertainment, or to provide late night refreshment. Permission to carry on some or all of these licensable activities will now be contained in a single licence — the premises licence — replacing several different and complex schemes. (Film effected by age range of people watching and if actor is act a certain age and has to purchase alcohol in a certain scene it is extremely important to keep the age restrictions correct. May possibly effect radio in regards to adverts mentioning alcohol.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licensing_Act_2003) (Example: A man who broke trademarks laws has had £75,967 confiscated by the courts, after Tower Hamlets Council took action against him.)

Privacy law – Privacy law refers to the laws which deal with the regulation of personal information about individuals which can be collected by governments and other public as well as private organizations and its storage and use. (Effects film in regards to what information is allowed on screen and in the title sequence/ end credits, effects radio in what information is allowed to pass through onto the air.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_law)

Copyright and intellectual property law – Under intellectual property laws, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. (Effects script and production on film in regards to what language and sources can be used, same with radio.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property)

Libel law - Libel is defined as defamation by written or printed words, pictures, or in any form other than by spoken words or gestures. The law of libel originated in the 17th century in England. With the growth of publication came the growth of libel and development of the tort of libel. (Effects film in script, in what kind of spoken word is allowed, similar to radio and what is allowed to be said.) (Via http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamation)