Industry regulators are members of the government that control and regulate any mass media that is presented to the public. The principal targets of media regulation are the press, radio and television, but may also include film, recorded music, cable, satellite, storage and the internet, mobile phones and other forms of media. One very important role that they play is rating the target age of games or games. They assess the themes and content of the media that is being distributed to see if they contain harsh language, sexual themes, violence, fear, threat and other attributes that may be suitable for a certain audience. For example, if a game contains strong language and violence, industry regulators will have to make sure that the game is rated appropriately so that people that are too young to experience such content are not being exposed to it.
One example of an industry regulator is the ASA which is the UK’s independent regulator of advertising across all media. They apply the Advertising Codes, which are written by the Committees of Advertising Practice and their work includes acting on complaints and constantly checking the media to take action against misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements. They also regulate the time that certain advertisements are shown on the TV. This means that they make sure that more graphic adverts are being shown post 9pm so that children will not be seeing content that is inappropriate for them. https://www.asa.org.uk/About-ASA.aspx
Another media regulator is Ofcom which is the communications regulator of the United Kingdom that regulate the TV and radio sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services, as well as the airwaves over which wireless devices operate. They make sure that people in the UK are protected from scams and sharp practices, while ensuring that competition can thrive. Ofcom operates under a number of Acts of Parliament, including in particular the Communications Act 2003. Ofcom must act within the powers and duties set for it by Parliament in legislation. The Communications Act says that Ofcom’s principal duty is to further the interests of citizens and of consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/what-is-ofcom/
IPSO (the independent press standards organisation) is a media regulation organisation that handles complaints about breaches of the Editors' Code of Practice. They operate a new complaints procedure that is designed to achieve speedy and fair resolution of people’s complaints. IPSO are able to impose new sanctions, including the ability to determine the nature, extent and placement of corrections, when they are necessary in order to resolve a breach of the Editors' Code. If somebody is experiencing problems with unwanted attention or harassment by journalists, or if someone is concerned that a publication intends to publish information that you believe breaches the Editors' Code, IPSO may be able to resolve the problem. https://www.ipso.co.uk/IPSO/
The ESRB are another media regulator that is a self-regulatory body that assigns ratings for video games and apps so parents can make informed choices. The ESRB rating system encompasses guidance about age-appropriateness, content, and interactive elements. As part of its self-regulatory role for the video game industry the ESRB also enforces industry-adopted advertising guidelines and helps ensure responsible web and mobile privacy practices under its Privacy Online program. The ESRB’s job is to empower consumers, especially parents, with guidance that allows them to make informed decisions about the age-appropriateness and suitability of video games and apps while holding the video game industry accountable for responsible marketing practices. http://www.esrb.org/index-js.jsp
The BBFC (British board of film classification) is an independent, film classified company that has classified films since 1912 and videos/DVDs since the passing of the recordings act in 1984. It was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films they reject, banning films they have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction. They look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when making decisions. They also consider context, the tone and impact of a work (e.g. how it makes the audience feel) and even the release format (for example, as DVDs are watched in the home, there is a higher risk of underage viewing) to try and rate the content and see if it is: U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 15, 18 or R18. http://www.bbfc.co.uk/
In consideration of my game, only a few of these media classification organisations apply to me. I am making a game and therefore the BBFC, IPSO and Ofcom will not apply to me or the development of my product. However, regulators that will apply to me are the ESRB because they deal with apps and video games and will help with the