3. Legal considerations

• Human Rights Act 1998 – Rights established under this act include the respect for private and family life and freedom of expression.

• The Licensing Act 2003 – Cinemas require a license from the local authority in which they operate, which are:
1. The prevention of crime and disorder
2. Public safety
3. Prevention of public nuisance
4. Protection of children from harm

• The Video Recordings Act 1984 – Films, tv programmes, video games, adverts must be classified by the BBFC and they must take into consideration:
1. Criminal behaviour
2. Illegal drugs
3. Violent behaviour or incidents
4. Horrific behaviour or incidents
5. Human sexual activity

• The Obscene Publications Act 1959 & 1964 – It is illegal to publish work/films that are obscene

• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 – It is illegal to be in possession of an extreme pornographic image

• The Protection of Children Act 1978 – It is illegal to make, distribute, show or possess indecent photographs of children

• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 – It is illegal to expose oneself with intent to cause alarm or distress

• The Public Order Act 1986 – It is illegal to distribute, show or play to the public a recording of visual images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting

• The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 – It is illegal to show any scene ‘organised or directed’ for the purposes of the film that involves actual cruelty to animals.

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 – It is illegal to supply, publish or show or possess with intent to supply a video recording of an ‘animal fight’

• The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 – It is illegal, in the course of a business, to publish a tobacco advertisement.