Should we have age restricted Newspapers?

Nowadays more and more newspapers entice? seduce? new readers by way of offering FREEbies, these gifts include Music and DVD's amongst other things. The Newspaper media seems to me to have a set of rules that allow them to get away with anything they choose to, this DVD disc of the 1988 Oliver Stone Movie "Talk Radio" was issued Free in the Rupert Murdoch publication The Sunday Times.






'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

According to the British Board of Film Censors (BBFC) these are the rules that govern 15 rated Movies.....

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence

Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques

Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

---

Don't get me wrong, I am not objecting to FREEbies in newspapers, personally I would'nt be seen dead carrying anybodies propaganda under my right arm, as I jolly off to work. But if Responsible newspaper publications "if there were such a thing", they should restrict the age of the people that can purchase the said newspaper and its FREEbie, if the FREEbie has an age restriction on it.

What do you think?

Dear Lefty

Thank you for your email.

The legal position, as defined by the Video Recordings Act 1984, is that it
is an offence to 'supply' an age restricted DVD to a person under the age
stated on the certificate. In other words, to commit an offence you must
physically give a disc or tape to an underaged person (and, in doing so,
you must be doing so for reward or in the course of furtherance of a
business).

Supplying a copy of a newspaper that contains an age restricted DVD to
underaged persons is therefore breaking the law, and the retailer would be
liable to a fine or imprisonment. It is the obligation of the newspaper to
make sure that the certificate is clearly visible at point of sale (failure
to do so could render them liable to prosecution for conspiring to commit
an offence) and it is the responsibility of the retailer to ensure that the
certification is observed.

This was made clear to the relevant trade associations and to Trading
Standards when newspapers first began to give away DVDs several years ago.
The BBFC has no powers of enforcement. However, if you are aware of any
retailers breaking the law in this way, you are advised to contact your
local Trading Standards office who have the authority and powers to
investigate the matter and bring a prosecution if appropriate.

I hope this respond reassures you.

Yours sincerely,


J L Green
Chief Assistant (Policy)