Classifications

Chew TV Classification Policy 2008

The guidelines and classifications outlined in this document are the decision of the Chew TV Content Group. Legal guidelines have been considered in drawing up this policy. The Chew TV Content Group will periodically review its classification policy.

Any Content considered suitable only for those over 18yrs old will be classified as ‘Restricted’ and will only be available to logged in users aged over 18 yrs.

The Classifications outlined in this document refer only to use of a specified Content on www.chewtv.com and cannot be applied to other contexts.

When classifying works the Chew TV Content Group considers these underlying principles:

  • Is the material within the law; are there any copyright issues or concerns?
  • Is the material offensive/unacceptable to broad public opinion?
  • Is the material likely to cause harm to viewers?
  • Is the material likely to cause any harm to society through the behaviour of those viewers afterwards?
  • Does the submitted Content cause any conflicts of interest with Chew TV?

(While considering these principles The Chew TV Content Group recognises that any adult over the age of 18 has the right to choose what they view as long as it remains within the law)

Offensive Language

Some use of language (explicit, or derogatory towards religious, racial or vulnerable sections of society) offends many viewers. The Content Panel will consider the values and protect the interests of its users when classifying works that contain potentially offensive language. They will also consider in what context the language is to be used and its intentional and possible unintentional meanings.

Nudity & Sex

No ‘full frontal’ nudity will be classified for viewing on Chew TV. Portrayal of sexual activity in moving image may range from references regarding sexual acts to simulated sex scenes. The Content Panel will seriously question the necessity of any sexual portrayal in potential content. The Content Panel will treat any sexual reference or portrayal with extreme caution, no matter how minor. Chew TV will not tolerate or display any material whatsoever that is intended for sexual arousal or gratification. The Content Panel will apply the same level of standards to homosexual references/portrayals as to heterosexual references/portrayals.

Violence

Chew TV will not tolerate any material that endorses violence, portrays violence as a normal solution to problems, contains a hero that inflicts pain or injury on human beings, encourages aggressive attitudes, takes pleasure in pain or humiliation or that glamorises any violence at all especially sexual violence.

The Content Panel is concerned with any portrayal of violent and criminal techniques, especially those concerning the use of everyday objects being used as weapons. Chew TV will not tolerate any portrayal of criminal, violent or dangerous activity that young or vulnerable people are likely to copy.

Horror

The Content Panel will consider that viewers sometimes want to be frightened or shocked. The Content Panel will not cut or disallow material simply because it is alarming, shocking or frightening but will protect younger viewers by using the Classification Levels (14-17yrs & 18+yrs)

The Law

The Video Recordings Act 1984

The Act requires special regard (among the other relevant factors) to the likelihood of works being viewed in the home, and to;

  • any harm to those likely to view a video
  • any harm to society through the behaviour of those viewers afterwards

The possible effect not only on children but also on other vulnerable people must also be considered.

The Act further requires that special regard is paid to the manner in which the work deals with

  • criminal behaviour
  • use of illegal drugs
  • violent behaviour or incidents
  • horrific behaviour or incidents
  • human sexual activity

The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937

It is illegal to show any scene 'organised or directed' for the purposes of the film to involve actual cruelty to animals.

The Protection of Children Act 1978

It is illegal to show indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child (under the age of 18).

The Obscene Publications Act 1959

It is illegal to show a work that is obscene. A work may be found obscene if, taken as a whole, it has a tendency to deprave and corrupt (ie make morally bad) a significant proportion of those likely to see it.

Human Rights Act 1998

Among the rights established under this Act are the right to private life and family, and the right to freedom of expression. When classifying works, the Chew TV Content Group will have regard to the impact of any decision on the rights of any relevant person.

The Act permits such restrictions on freedom of expression as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Classification Levels

Chew TV Classification Levels are as follows;

'F' (Family) – Suitable for people of all ages and mental states.

'T' (Teenage) – Not suitable for young people under the age of 12 years old. (Content classified as 'T' will be available on Chew TV at all times but will be labelled as not suitable for younger children)

'A' (Authorised) - Not suitable for young people under the age of 15 years old. (To view content that has the 'A' classification the viewer must be signed in to a Chew TV user account with a registered age of at least 15 years old)

'R' (Restricted) - Not suitable for young people under the age of 18 years old.?(To view content that has the 'A' classification the viewer must be signed in to a Chew TV user account with a registered age of at least 18 years old)

Classification

'F'

  • Theme: The theme must be suitable for people of all ages.
  • Offensive Language: No swearing, or offensive language.
  • Nudity: No nudity.
  • Sex: No sexual behaviour except perhaps for kissing or references to 'making love'
  • Violence: Occasional, mild references to threat or menace. No criminal or violent behaviour likely to be copied.
  • Horror: Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take into account the presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.
  • Substance Misuse: No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a clear educational purpose or clear anti-drug message suitable for the audience.

'T'

  • Theme: More mature themes can be covered but the younger audience must be considered.
  • Offensive Language: No swearing, but mildly offensive words/phrases are acceptable.
  • Nudity: No nudity.
  • Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
  • Violence: Scenes of a violent nature must not be detailed, only implied. Injuries or blood must not be emphasised. No criminal or violent behaviour likely to be copied.
  • Horror: Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
  • Substance Misuse: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional. Anti- drug meanings only.

'A'

  • Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
  • Offensive Language: Mild swearing and offensive language acceptable.
  • Nudity: No nudity.
  • Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
  • Violence: Scenes of a violent nature must not be dwelled on or give great detailed. Injuries or blood must not be emphasised. No criminal or violent behaviour likely to be copied.
  • Horror: Strong threat and menace are permitted. Extreme gore not permitted.
  • Substance Misuse: Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

'R'

  • 'Open Door' to anything excluding nudity and always considering the Chew TV Classification Guidelines and remaining within the law. All sexual references/portrayals will be scrutinised.