More Demolition…Recent UK Blu-ray release of Demolition Man is the uncut Taco Bell version

Read more Latest UK Cuts at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Thanks to Tim

Demolition Man is a 1993 US action film by Marco Brambilla. See IMDb Thanks to Tim The UK release is uncut for: UK 2011 R0 Blu-ray at UK Amazon I can confirm that the recently released UK Blu-ray of Demolition Man is uncut (2 hits to the head and an instance of ear-clapping have been restored). It is also the original Taco Bell print (some European releases were dubbed over with Pizza Hut). However, this is not reflected on the BBFC’s site. This is something I’ve noticed with several Warner Bros Blu-rays (Lethal Weapon 4‘s uncut status still hasn’t been updated). So I would imagine that Cobra (another recent Stallone Blu-ray from Warner Bros) is also uncut, but I can’t confirm this.

Freedom for Adults…To make informed viewing choices after 9pm

Read more Satellite X at MelonFarmers.co.uk

Suggested by Les See petition from epetitions.direct.gov.uk

Freedom for adults to make informed viewing choices after 9pm Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport After the 9pm watershed adults should be free to make their own informed viewing choices: After 9pm encrypted television channels with age verification should be permitted to show any BBFC certificate 18 equivalent content regardless of genre, broadcaster motivation or context. The BBFC makes no such distinction and Ofcom should not either. After 10pm free-to-air adult channels should be permitted to broadcast any cert 18 equivalent content subject to adequate labelling and the ability to block them. Sexual content on sex themed channels has attracted an extremely small number of complaints, the majority from competitors. The serious or widespread offence that Ofcom cites simply does not exist. After midnight all channels should be permitted to broadcast any cert 18 equivalent content subject to adequate labelling. After midnight encrypted television channels with age verification should be permitted to show BBFC certificate R18 content and its equivalent.

Ability Challenged Censors…Ofcom whinge at America’s Next Top Model

Read more Ofcom Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

America’s Next Top Model Sky Living HD, 9 April 2011, 10:00 America’s Next Top Model is an American reality series in which contestants compete in various tasks and photo shoots to win a modelling contract with an international modelling agency. During this episode of the series, Miss Jay, the „runway coach, advised contestants on how to perfect their catwalk on various surfaces, while also handling various accessories. In giving feedback to one contestant on how she performed this task, Miss Jay said: Michelle, you’re walking like you have spina bifida on the right side of your body. Miss Jay then walked in an exaggerated style as if to mimic the contestant’s walk. Ofcom received one complaint from a viewer who considered that the comment was offensive. The complainant said that this comment was disgusting and a derogatory insult to those who live with the challenges of disability. We considered the following rule of the Code: Rule 2.3 In applying generally accepted standards broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context. Such material may include,…offensive language,… discriminatory treatment or language (for example on the grounds of … disability …). Sky explained that America’s Next Top Model is now in its fifteenth series on Sky Living HD. This particular episode, taken from the fourth series, was first transmitted on Living TV in 2005. Sky explained that the episode had been complied for broadcast at the time by the Living TV compliance team and had subsequently been repeated many times on Living TV and Sky Living. Sky stated that it recognises the potential for offense [sic] that can be caused by such comments and said that the team who complies the programme has been made aware of the issue and the need for sensitivity has been reiterated. It added: accordingly, the offending comment has been removed from the programme for future transmissions. Ofcom Decision: Resolved The comments and actions of Miss Jay – criticising the catwalk style of one of the contestants and linking it with spina bifida – had the clear potential to be understood as ridiculing those with spina bifida, a serious physical disability. In Ofcom’s view it therefore had the potential to offend. As regards the degree of harm or offence likely to be caused by the remark, Ofcom noted that the comment by Miss Jay was not aimed at a particular individual with a disability, nor was it used aggressively. However, it could be seen as ridiculing people in society with a particular disability. This impression was reinforced by Miss Jay imitating in a slightly exaggerated way the manner in which contestant had walked. The comments and actions of Miss Jay therefore had the potential to cause considerable offence, especially to those with disabilities. Ofcom concluded that, on balance, there was insufficient context to justify the offence likely to be caused by the comments made by, and actions of, Miss Jay during the programme. The broadcast therefore breached generally accepted standards. However, Ofcom notes Sky’s sincere regret that this incident occurred and its immediate decision to remove the offensive comment from the programme for future transmissions. Ofcom also welcomes the action taken by Sky to remind its compliance team of the need for sensitive treatment of broadcast comments relating to disability. In light of these actions taken by Sky, Ofcom considers this matter resolved.

Reflections of China…Social networking bosses appear for questioning by parliamentary committee

Read more UK Parliament Watch at MelonFarmers.co.uk

See article from blog.indexoncensorship.org

Commons Home Affairs select committee, 11th September 2011 Following accusations that social media were used to play a key role in the social unrest in August, representatives from Research in Motion, Twitter and Facebook appeared for questioning by the Commons Home Affairs select committee. Stephen Bates, Managing Director of BlackBerry’s Research in Motion, Richard Allen, Director of Policy at Facebook and Alexander McGilvray of Twitter were questioned by the committee, chaired by MP Keith Vaz, regarding the role of social media in the riots which spread across the country in August, and the trio insisted that all three platforms were used as a force for good. In the midst of the unrest, calls were made to shut down social networking, particularly BlackBerry messenger, as it was suggested that this was being used to organise violence. Cutting off Facebook, Twitter and BlackBerry messenger in times of unrest seems no different to the censoring this kind of media experiences in China and oppressive countries over the world. The committee heard that should it be necessary, all three of the representatives of the social media, who work within frameworks to condone with the law, would not resist closing down social media, but did not feel that it would be necessary. Bates, Allen and McGilvray all said that throughout the unrest in August, social media were used in a positive way — to contact family and friends to advise that users were safe, to help clean-up in the wake of the riots, and perhaps most importantly as a tool of communication, used to quell and correct rumours. A key issue addressed by the committee was responsibility. Bates admitted that BlackBerry messenger had been used in a malicious way to organise crime, but stressed the need for balance when addressing the issue. Keith Vaz advised that there may be times when closing down social media was necessary, asking Why should the government not use the powers to close down these networks if there is mass disorder and this is the only way to stop it happening.