RE: Encryption Of Channels
There is at least one live encrypted babeshow type programme even if it is on Freeview not Sky. That ought to give an idea of what is and is not tolerated by our great masters.
A bit off topic but the Leveson Report recommended a new Press Complaints Commission, itself regulated by Ofcom. And any newspaper that does not sign up to this "voluntary" scheme will be directly regulated by Ofcom.
At the moment Desmonds papers refuse to sign up. If that does not change the Star and Express will be directly regulated by Ofcom. Those papers might feel inhibited from complaining about Ofcom incompetence or bias regulating TV. Other papers, indirectly regulated, might also be reluctant to criticise.
At the least it could be the end of topless models in The Sun, Star, Sport and salacious stories in all the papers.
Back on topic. The BBFC say "sex works" containing simulated activity are generally given an 18 cert. A "sex work" is one whose "primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation", wank material, not a serious film or documentary. They also say something is R18 if it contains "clear images of real sex, strong fetish
material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images".
They do not say how much. ANY of the above are enough for a film to be classified R18. Just one second of clear images of real sex in a sex work, or pissing, or serious BDSM.
The BBFC are not bothered about how many copies a DVD will sell, or whether sex shops will bother stocking it. As far as they are concerned there is a line, and if a porn film crosses the film is rated R18. End of. Profitability is for the producer or distributor to sort out.
Thats the way it should be. A clear line so everyone knows where they stand. No lengthy analysis and arguments about whether a 5 second flash of outer labia is against the rules, or straight fingers held over the fanny being OK but not if they are at all curved.
When it comes to DVDs producers are clear what certificate they want. If they have to they will cut a few frames, even a scene, to get an 18 cert and onto the shelves in Tesco and HMV. Porn producers dont want to be ever so slightly porny, they want the hardest cut they can put together. If its not the sex shops wont sell it, and even if they do their next film wont sell.
On TV though there does seem to be selective blindness. "Dont take the piss and we wont have to spend 4 days putting together a case against you" seems to be the message. A few seconds are tolerated, unofficially, provided its not long enough to get hard to.
That way everyone is happy. The regulator can claim R18 is not being broadcast, not that anyone is asking. Broadcasters can claim they are showing the strongest legally permitted material. Viewers think that a few seconds of hard stuff mean there could be more.
Gone fishing
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