Regulation, protection and audience harm

Overview

Age classification, content moderation and argument that audiences should be trusted rather than protected.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Why are media audiences regulated for?

   Model answer

   Because content can cause harm or offence, and because some audiences, particularly children, are held to need protection they cannot arrange themselves.

2. 2

   What is the watershed?

   Model answer

   The time before which broadcast television must not show material unsuitable for children.

3. 3

   Why does the watershed sit awkwardly with on-demand viewing?

   Model answer

   A time-based rule assumes a schedule, and on-demand content is available whenever the viewer chooses.

4. 4

   What is age classification?

   Model answer

   The rating of a product to indicate the age of audience it is judged suitable for.

5. 5

   Give one argument that classification protects audiences.

   Model answer

   It gives parents and viewers reliable information before they commit, which no amount of description of the content itself supplies.

6. 6

   Give one argument that classification is censorship.

   Model answer

   It restricts what adults may see as well as children, and the judgements behind it reflect the values of those making them.

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