Media rating systems in Gandoor

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There are two separate media rating systems in Gandoor, one used for films and another that is shared between television programming and video games.

Film

History

Rating of film in Gandoor dates back to 1934, with the establishment of the Motion Picture Rating Bureau. All film companies in Gandoor were required by law to submit any films that were due to be released starting on 1 January 1935 to the MPRB. Films could be either rated 'A' for approved, signifying that they had been passed by the Bureau or refused classification. Despite the existence of the MPRB, there was nothing prohibiting film companies from releasing a film which had been refused classification, although most opted to edit their film in order to receive an 'A' rating, as most theaters would not show films that were not approved.

The Motion Picture Rating Bureau was controversial due to the fact that their sole rating did not make any distinction between the intended audience of a film. This would change in 1963, when the MPRB added an 'AM' rating, which stood for 'Approved - Intended for Mature Audiences'. Films rated AM were recommended for ages 15 and older, with the official description being 'This motion picture has been rated AM by the Motion Picture Rating Bureau. It contains content considered suitable for teenagers 15 years or older. Content within this motion picture may be unsuitable for those under 15 years of age'.

In early 1978, the Gandoorese Film Rating Board was created and was intended to replace the existing Motion Picture Rating Bureau in 1979. Any film that was to be released in 1978 would be rated by the MPRB and any film that was to be released in 1979 would be rated by the GFRB. However, due to films having their release dates pushed back or pushed forward, most films released during the end of 1978 and the start of 1979 were ultimately rated by both the MPRB and the GFRB, in one instance, the film Passions was rated R20 by the GFRB but refused classification by the MPRB.

The Motion Picture Rating Bureau formally ceased operations on 1 January 1979, with the final film reviewed by them being released in early 1980.

Ratings

The Gandoorese Film Rating Board has utilized four ratings since its establishment in 1978.

Rating Name Description Notes
A All ages admitted. Films rated A contain no content parents will find unsuitable for children.
OA Older audiences. Films rated OA may contain content unsuitable for younger children.
RA Restricted audiences. Films rated RA contain content unsuitable for those under the age of 15.
R20 Restricted audiences 20+. Films rated R20 contain content unsuitable for those under the age of 20. The only legally enforced rating. Allowing under-20s into a showing of an R20 rated movie or allowing them to purchase a copy of one on home media is punishable by a fine of up-to 750 GDY.

Television and Video Games

History

The television and video game rating system was created in 1997. Ratings are managed by the Gandoorese Television and Video Game Ratings Board (GTVGRB).

Ratings

There were originally only four ratings used, the fifth rating was added in 2003.

Rating Name Explanation Notes
5 Suitable for ages 5 and older.
10 Suitable for ages 10 and older.
12 Suitable for ages 12 and older. Added in 2003.
15 Suitable for ages 15 and older.
20 Suitable for ages 20 and older. Enforced by law for video games. Selling a 20-rated game to a minor is punishable by a fine of up-to 500 GDY.

Usage and Regulation

Bar a few exceptions when it comes to television and film, all television programs, motion pictures, and video games must be rated by their respective ratings board prior to being released in Gandoor.

Film

Documentaries are exempt from the ratings requirement.

On movie posters, the rating must be displayed alongside the short content description, which summarizes why the film has received that rating, at a large enough size for audiences to be able to read the text at a distance of 1.5 metres. It must also inform people that the full content summary is available at the Gandoorese Film Rating Board's website.

During theatrical trailers or Internet trailers, the rating and short content description must be displayed for ten seconds on a sky blue background prior to the start of the trailer. Trailers for films rated RA or above may not be attached to theatrical releases of films rated OA or A.

During television advertisements, the rating of the film must be stated at the end of the advertisement.

On home video releases, the rating must be placed on the front of the packaging. On the back of the packaging, the rating and short content description must be printed.

For any film which has yet to receive a rating from the Gandoorese Film Rating Board, a standard 'This film is not currently rated' text is used on posters and during trailers and television advertisements.

Television

News and sports programming are exempt from the ratings requirement.

The rating of a program must be displayed in the top left corner of the screen for twenty seconds during the start of a program. If a program lasts longer than a half-hour, then the rating must be displayed again for every half-hour that passes.

On home video releases, like movies, the rating must be placed on the front of the packaging.

Video Games

The rating of the game must be stated and shown for the first five seconds of any trailer or advertisement.

The game rating must be displayed on the front of the packaging with the back also containing the rating and the content descriptor, along with the URL to the GTVGRB's website which contains the full description of the content contained within the game.

For games which have yet to receive a rating, a generic 'NR' symbol is to be displayed during trailers and advertisements, accompanied by a statement that 'The following video game has not yet been rated'.