The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is to undertake a nationwide Public Consultation Programme. This is the beginning of a major review of film and video classification policy in the UK. This follows the arrival of the Board's new President, Andreas Whittam Smith.
Between April and June, public meetings will be held in Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Southampton, Birmingham, Cardiff and London. At each meeting, the BBFC will be screening illustrations of current standards and policy guidelines, explaining what each category means and what it may contain. Following the screening, members of the Board and its examining team will be there to answer questions from the public, and to listen to the views of the people on whose behalf the BBFC classifies films and videos.
Commenting on the initiative, the Director, James Ferman, said "This is an important opportunity for the Board. We are determined to bring more openness and accountability to the processes of classification and censorship. We want to give the public a chance to have their say on the issues that affect them and their families, and we intend to keep in touch with public opinion on a regular basis."
Andreas Whittam Smith said; "we classify film in the cinema and on video on behalf of our fellow citizens. We need to know what they think of our work".
The BBFC will be inviting written feedback from anyone who wishes to have their comments considered in greater detail. At the end of the consultation period all submissions will be assessed and the findings published.
The BBFC also hopes to recruit new members to its nationwide Home Viewing Panel, which it plans to use on a regular basis to provide feedback about the videos that family members are viewing in their own homes.