lo2 workbook

BTEC Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production

Unit 7: Understanding the CreativeMedia Sector

Learning outcome 2:

Understand ethical and legal constraints within the media sector

Name: Bob George Trelfa

Understand legal constraints in the creative media sector


Use this workbook to help you with this learning outcome. There is some guidance and further notes which you should read and then remove, replacing it with your own answers.

Are representations ever realistic?

Positive representation wants to make the subject positive so they would normally only show the positive aspect of some thing and leave out the negative. Negative represen-tation wants to make the subject negative so they would normally only show the nega-tive aspect of some thing and leave out the positive. The media does this a lot to try get people to have a certain opinion on something this means its very rare that repre-sentation is realistic, for example the daily mail has distinct was of representing women and men, on their website they have a side bar that talks about the figure and clothing style of certain people in the news.

What sort of things can influence the representations that we see?

Things can influence the representation like different media companies, the audience the media companies target , peoples popular opinion on things like politics modern society and celebrities.

Find an example of representation and explain what you are seeing:

The daily mail has painted this fact as some thing bad by saying we are taking in to many refugees when actually we are helping other people which is a good thing.

How many categories of word do Ofcom have? Explain each one.

Ofcom have 3 categories of word:Category A:Not before the watershed (9pm) and often come with editorial restrictions. Category B:Generally not before 9pm, with exceptions.Category B: Pre 9pm but some restrictions still apply.


Why does Ofcom have this list of words? Do you think there should be restric-tions on when certain words can be used?

These categories exist to make it easier for broadcasting companies when they're de-ciding what to air and when. I think this is a good thing because it helps them regulate what we see on TV and it makes sure young children don’t see things they shouldn’t.

Why does the NUJ produce language guidelines?

Language can be more than swearing and can be incredibly influential, they produce language guidelines So children or influential people don’t get influenced and start behaving badly. It is also there to make sure no one is offended by what is said.

Should we protect groups of people by putting in place guidelines on how we talk about them?


There are 3 ways in which a broadcaster can make it easier for people with a dis-ability to access its programmes. What are they?

The broadcasting company would show programs that include Subtitling and Sign language for people who can’t hear, they would also use Audio description for blind people. All this would give access to disabled people so they can be entertained by programs on T.V.

Who ensures that broadcasters are making their programmes accessible? What are the consequences for broadcasters if they do not meet their accessibility re-quirements?

Ofcom makes sure broadcasters programs are accessible for disabled viewers, if of-com find that a company has not made its programs accesible they can fine the com-pany and the fine depends on the situation.

Why do we have codes of practice?

Most companies have a code of practise they should work towards, producers can use these guidelines to make decisions on contact of a program. They follow these guide lines to make sure the content is appropriate for the audience and so it doesn't offend anyone.

Use one code of practice and investigate it in detail:

The IPSO is the editors guideline for anything print based like newspaper or maga-zines, if any one has a problem with a newspaper, magazine or even a reporter they would go to IPSO and complain and then IPSO would deal with the company who make the print based product some one is complaining about.

What is the Broadcasting Act and what did it do?


The broadcasting act came about in 1990 and it creative a regulative body that aloud the creation of channel five and encouraged people to own more of the media and it says that people can’t own more than 20% of a broadcasting com-pany.

What is the Official Secrets Act?

This act is law that says you cannot release secrets and information to anyone.

Find an example of when it has been used and explain why it was used and what the outcome was.

Edward Snowden worked at the C.I.A and he was a whisper blower because he moved to Russia and was a asylum seeker and put all the C.I.A’s information on the internet.

Should we have an Official Secrets Act?

I think we should have this act because it keeps information safe, some information is and acts are put up by the government to protect the public and if every one knew these secrets they could just find away around the protection putting the public in dan-ger.

What is the Obscene Publications 1959 and what is its definition of obscenity?

Effectively protect people from films were obscene acts are shown. Before the acts was mainly print 1977 but after it was adapted to film as well.

Give an example of a recent case involving the act (1990 onwards). What hap-pened, who was involved and what was the outcome?

6th January 2012 Michael peacock had a business of selling mail order business pornography, an undercover officer approached him seeking videos of water sports, he was found not guilty because the footage wasn't corrupting the audience.

What is the Video Recordings Act? Why was the Video Recordings Act intro-duced?


VRA was made in 1984 it was made to regulate the growing home video market, from 1985 they had to summit the film for rating. This act was updated in 2010

What were some of the films that were prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecution?

cannibal holocaust: was made in 1980, 2001 5 minutes was removed and then 15 sec-onds in 2011.snuff:the driller killer:ss experimental camp

What is the equality act?

Designed to encourage the identification and elimination of discrimination, sexual ha-rassment and victimisation and their causes. The whole point of the equality act is to make people aware of it and not do it.

What are the 9 protected characteristics?age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage / civil partnership, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation

Can you find an example of a case involving the equality act? What happened and what was the outcome?

A pub chain refused some travellers because they viewed them as a stereotype and feared they might steel or mis behave, the travellers took the pub chain to court and won for £3500.

What protects people from journalists invading their privacy?


There are privacy laws to protect people privacy

Find a privacy case and explain who was involved, what happened and what the outcome was.

Princess Diana was the princess of whales, the journalists harassed her and caused her driver to drive faster, they ended up crashing and she died.

What areas does the Copyright and Intellectual Property law cover?

Books (fiction and non-fiction)FilmsSound recordingsNewspaper and journal articlesDramatic worksPhotographsComputer programmes

Why is copyright important to the creative media sector?

Copyright is important because it makes sure no one steals your original work and claims it for their own.

What is libel? What must you be able to prove to win a libel case?

Libel is a false statement that is damaging to some ones reputation.


Find an example (not the one you were given in the lecture) of a libel case.

Robin Williams body double was cheating charities under robin Williams name and this caused serious damage to the actual robin William’s reputation. So Robin Williams successfully sued his body double and made him stop what he was doing.

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