Censorship: High hopes that tide can be turned
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Can Britain's new film censor make a real difference in what appears on Britain's screens, big and small? The Home Secretary obviously has high hopes that Andreas Whittam Smith can do something to stem the mounting tide of video violence.
His first crucial decision as president of the BBFC - a post he takes up on 1 January - will be to appoint a new director to replace the man who has effectively controlled film censorship in this country for the past two decades - American-born James Ferman.
Mr Ferman, 67, sparked a major controversy this year when he approved the highly controversial sadomasochistic film Crash. This film was later banned by some local authorities.
Councils still retain that prerogative and will continue to exercise it. "I want the board to be very in touch with local authorities," says Mr Whittam Smith.
He is certainly more relaxed about elected councils in this country having some say about what films get screened in their neighbourhoods than he is about Brussels bureaucrats taking over this task.
Although a Europhile, he firmly opposes calls for a pan European film and video classification system.
"I see this as a perfect example of an area in which the principle of subsidiarity should favour regulation by individual countries rather than EU institutions," he says.
Britain's new film censor is certainly aware of the fundamental challenges the communications revolution is throwing up for film censors worldwide. Having founded an electronic publishing company called Notting Hill Media with his eldest son Ben, he has a lot of hands-on experience in this area and plans to bring it to bear in his new role.
In Andreas Whittam Smith's own words, he "won't be asleep at the switch".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments