THE CONTENT CODE -
DECENCY:
The following subjects shall be treated with extreme restraint and avoided in the absence of compelling justification for their treatment in the fiction:
- Public execution as the legal punishment for a crime.
- The branding of people or animals.
- Cruelty to children or animals
- Surgical operations.
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FAMILY VALUES:
Whilst sometimes necessary plot material, the act of adultery shall never be explicitly treated nor presented attractively. Similarly divorce or separation shall neither be played for comedic effect nor treated as desirable or admirable. The value of marriage and the home shall be promoted at all times* - at no time shall the fiction or its supporting material suggest that extramarital sex relationships are desirable or acceptable.
* Note this should not forbid the presentation of dysfunctional family units, merely the presentation of that dysfunction as desirable.
Scenes of childbirth are not to be portrayed explicitly, though they may be portrayed in silhouette or otherwise implied.
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FOOD AND DRINK:
The consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages (beyond soft drinks) shall not be depicted. A character may be depicted drinking an unidentified coloured beverage in the fiction proper and that beverage identified in the support material, providing the name given is not an immediately identifiable alcoholic or caffeinated beverage ("cordial" or "bitters" is acceptable, but "wine" or "coffee" is not). Where compelling justification exists for the consumption of alcoholic beverages by a character, it shall not be shown explicitly, and furthermore the act shall be represented as morally reprehensible.
The depiction of smoking is absolutely forbidden.
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LANGUAGE:
Profanity is absolutely forbidden, as is bowlderised profanity ("oh fudge", "BS", "SOB", etc.) and the frivolous use of transliterated vulgarisms (e.g. "poppycock", "cack", "bumf", "son of a gun", etc.). This includes profane use of Christian terminology - e.g. "Jesus Christ", "God/Gawd", "Lord/Lordy Lordy/Lawks", "Christ", "Damn", "Goddamn", "Hell" "Oh my God" and all bowlderised forms of the same (so "gee", "gosh", "darn", "gol darn", "heck", "Oh my gosh" and the like are similarly unacceptable). Every other profane or vulgar expression however used is absolutely forbidden.
Bleeping words and/or blurring the lips and other forms of censorship are NOT valid methods of expurgating profane language for the purposes of the above. Furthermore, unacceptable films may not be edited by these methods to bring them in line with the Content Code, but shall be released uncensored with a clear notice that they are not approved by the Content Code. Where the use of a strong profane word is indicated, the character may SAY "bleep" - the following list provides acceptable uses of this method of indicating profanity: "Bleep", "bleep this", "bleep that", "bleep you", "bleep him", "bleep her", "bleep them", "bleep it" (note: these should NEVER be used in a sexual context). Note that all forms of "bleeping" and "bleeped" are unacceptable, as is "bleep yourself" and all variations on the same. Where this method of indicating strong profane language is used, it shall never be played for comedic effect or portrayed as admirable.
Where a genuine imprecation is in view rather than base profanity (for example "damnable man", "go to hell", "this god-forsaken place") some leniency may be exercised, although the imprecation must never be used casually or for comic effect. The formulation "God damn you", "damn (x)", or any variant on this theme is unacceptable.
All obscenity, smut, vulgarity, or words or symbols which have acquired undesirable meanings are absolutely forbidden. This includes obscenity in word, gesture, song, joke, or by suggestion (even when likely to be understood by only part of the audience). Potentially offensive words, phrases, or symbols (e.g. Nazi or occult imagery) should be treated with extreme restraint, though they are not absolutely forbidden providing compelling figurative or narrative justification can be found for their inclusion.
Although permissible providing reasonable justification can be found for their inclusion, informalisms, slang, dialectisms and similar deviations from Standard English shall not be used excessively.
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TITLES AND COVERS:
Please note that the regulations applying to the content of the fiction proper apply equally to the title of the fiction, any cover, and/or promotional material (whether written or visual). Prurient, salacious, indecent, offensive, or gruesome titles are absolutely forbidden.
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SEXUAL CONTENT:
Kissing is never permissible, even in a non-sexual context.
As a non-sexual parting gesture between persons of the same gender only, 'air kisses' are permissible - if they are culturally relevant - but only if the character presses two fingers to closed lips then raises them in the air (i.e. they may not actually kiss the air).
Embraces are only permissible in a non-sexual context. In a "romantic" context (suggesting sexual affection but not desire), embraces shall be permitted only between married persons. Some leniency may be exercised if an embrace between unmarried persons of the opposite gender contains both romantic and non
Romantic contact shall be permitted between unmarried persons provided it falls into one of the following categories: hand holding, (facial) cheek stroking, hair stroking/pulling, neck stroking, arm extended around waist (whilst both characters are fully clothed), the pressing of the lips to the cheek whilst speaking. The depiction of sexual "groping" of female characters is never permissible, even portrayed as an unacceptable act. Sexual "groping" of male characters by female characters is permissible only if both characters are fully clothed and the act is portrayed as immoral and non-consensual (i.e. the male character finds the contact disagreeable).
The only time the word "sex" shall be used is in the phrase "sex organs" or similar, used in a non-sexual context in the supporting material (not the fiction proper) as part of a scientific analysis, providing it is not prurient. For example, it is appropriate to point out that as part of a transformation, a character's "sex organs" retreat into their body (providing it is part of a list of other vital organs that similarly withdraw), but not to describe how an alien has sexual intercourse (which would be de facto prurience, whether it is "key" to the plot or not). When the idea of "female or male" is in view, "gender" shall be used instead. When the idea of "intercourse" is in view, extreme restraint shall be exercised and the characters shall trail off before using the word (note that this should not be construed as enabling sexual propositions - see below).
Regardless of what is actually shown to the viewer, male characters may not view female characters naked (even if it is an "accident", e.g. walking on them in the shower). The reverse is permissible only if there is a compelling figurative justification for the viewing (mere titillation is not sufficient justification).
Explicit or implicit sexual contact (whether shown or implied, for example, though sound) is absolutely forbidden, regardless of number of participants, marital status or gender. No more than one character shall ever be portrayed as sharing* the same bed** or sleeping bag, even if they are married and/or the situation is non-sexual.
* Where "sharing" implies the joint use (whether for sitting, reclining, or sleeping) of a bed (regardless of size) by two or more persons. This should not forbid one character from kneeling beside or even sitting on a bed occupied by another character for the purposes of comforting them (providing the situation is non-sexual and not prurient, and extreme restraint is exercised) but the comforter may not climb into the bed with the current occupant (if one party is reclining, the other may not recline without "sharing" the bed).
** Where "bed" is defined as "the planar area analogous with the mattress or similar sleeping surface, extending around the reclining party for not less than 4' perpendicular to the length of their body". Hence two or more characters reclining in a bunk bed would be acceptable, providing that each is reclining on a different level. Similarly, characters reclining on the floor is permissible, providing that there is a space of at least 4' between their bodies. If there is any doubt over whether two or more characters are in the same "bed", the situation is unacceptable.
The depiction of ANY sex-related product is absolutely forbidden, regardless of treatment. This would include erotic dolls, sex toys, lubricants, etc. The depiction of establishments vending such items is similarly forbidden, regardless of what is actually shown of their wares to the viewer.
The depiction of sexual propositions is absolutely forbidden, regardless of number of participants, marital status, age or gender. Propositions of marriage shall be permitted providing that they are not prurient or salacious (however, wherever possible a proposition of marriage should be reported after the fact, rather than shown directly).
Representation of the following professions or practices is absolutely forbidden, regardless of their treatment in the plot - they shall not appear in the fiction: prostitute, stripper, erotic dancer, sex worker, practitioner of bondage and/or sado-masochistic lifestyle*, campaigner for "gay rights", psycho-sexual analyst and/or counsellor**. The above are forbidden irrespective of gender.
* This does not forbid characters presented as masochists or sadists (deriving pleasure from pain inflicted against themselves and others respectively), merely the presentation of the sexual lifestyle popularly known as "S&M".
** This should not forbid the representation of psychologists and/or psychiatrists, or even the usage of psychological/psychiatric terminology, merely the explicit explanation of sexual psychological ideas. For example, it is acceptable for a psychiatrist to insult a character by accusing them of having a Oedipal or Electral complex, but they may not explain the incestual meaning of these complexes.
On a more general level, all sexual prurience is forbidden. All sexual double entendres shall be prohibited, even when likely to be understood by only part of the audience. This should not be construed as an overall prohibition on the matter of sex, although as one can see from the above, any discussion of the matter is - and should be - severely circumscribed.
The subjects of sexual practise, sexual hygiene, and sexually transmitted disease are absolutely forbidden and shall never be presented explicitly or implicitly in the work of fiction or the supporting material.
Dancing suggesting or representing sexual actions or passions, as well as dancing which emphasises female physical attributes is absolutely forbidden.
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VIOLENCE:
Excessive gore (blood and other bodily fluids as well as ultraviolence) is forbidden. The following table shall be used to determine whether gore is excessive:
| Permissible | Excessive |
| Blood drawn from mouth, nose, eyes, ears | Blood gushes from facial orifices |
| Cut away to surface - spatter or splatter of blood | Explicit Arterial spray |
| Arterial bleeding from heavy wounds through clothes | Explicit arterial bleeding |
| Light blood spray as wound is inflicted | Gushing blood |
| Blood or phlegm coughed up | Vomiting blood or phlegm |
| Dry-retching after hit | Vomiting after hit |
| Trickle of blood from bruise | Deep open wounds |
| Thin cuts of any length with light bleeding | Chunks of flesh removed |
| Severed limbs with heavy blood loss | Limbs severed with gushing blood |
| Decapitation shown in silhouette | Explicit decapitation |
| Body blown into blood "mist" | Body blown into parts |
| Implied gibbage (silhouette or slice lines) | Explicit gibbage (cutting of the body into chunks) |
| Extreme blood loss (blood on floor) leading to death | Fight produces large puddles of blood without death of fighters. |
| Explicit venal bleeding above the hairline or under clothes | Explicit, continuous venal bleeding from visible open wound. |
| Streamers or "ribbons" of blood drawn from wounds | Pressurised blood spray from wounds |
Sexual violence, or the threat of sexual violence, shall never be shown. Where compelling figurative or narrative justification can be found for the presentation of sexual violence, it shall be hinted at after the event, or the threat implied, followed by a cut away. Sexual violence is defined as any form of assault carrying a sexual motive, and includes sexual abuse, rape, and S&M practises* (as distinct from mere sadism/masochism). It shall be portrayed as unacceptable irrespective of the gender of its perpetrators and/or victims (for example, it has become common in our society to romanticise the abuse of underage boys by grown women as "forbidden love" rather than the crime it is). It shall never be played for comedic effect.
* Note that whilst S&M practises are by definition consensual, they nevertheless have the same effect on the audience as the depiction of rape and so may not be shown.
Extreme restraint shall be exercised in the presentation of genital violence (as distinct from sexual violence - where genital violence contains a sexual component, it is absolutely forbidden). Genital violence is defined as the infliction of pain to, or the mutilation of, the human sex organs (this would include infliction of pain to, or mutilation of, the female breasts, even though they are not strictly "sex organs" per se). Genital violence shall never be presented as humorous or acceptable (whether culturally or in a "consensual" relationship - i.e. S&M). This is irrespective of gender, and includes male as well as female tribal circumcision (some leniency may be exercised in the matter of Jewish circumcision, but even that should not be played for comedic effect or justified as a tribal "tradition").
Scenes of torture shall not be eroticised and shall never be played for comedic effect.
Brutal murder shall not be portrayed in detail or presented as acceptable.
The depiction of damage to the eye or eyes with a blade or similar pointed device, whether explicit or implicit, is absolutely forbidden. Similarly the penetration of the human body in any location by a hypodermic syringe shall not be shown explicitly, regardless of context (this applies to "legitimate" examples of injection such as vaccination as well as the use of illegal drugs).
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VISUAL CONTENT:
Clothing:
The following diagrams illustrate how much of the female and male body may be exposed under different circumstances:
Fig 1a. |
Fig 1b. |
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Fig. 1c. |
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Fig 1a. - This diagram illustrates how much of the female and male body is be covered whilst the character is in a state of full dress (note: this would include any "superhero costumes"). "Unacceptable" clothing (see below) is any clothing that reveals any part of the character's body in the red section whilst its wearer is in a state of full dress. Note that the red areas are assumed to describe a cross-section of an infinitely long prism passing through the body - hence the unclothed depiction of the rear in a red area is also unacceptable (save in the case of the rear of the red area on the upper male torso, which may be depicted owing to the limited eroticisation in our society of the male back).
Fig 1b. - This diagram illustrates how much of the female and male body must be obscured (off-screen, hidden by scenery, etc.) when the character is portrayed as naked or in a state of minimal dress. Note that in the case of female characters, no more may be shown than when they are fully clothed. Again, the red areas are a cross-section of an infinitely long prism passing through the body, so the exposure of, for instance, the buttocks, is unacceptable.
Fig 1c. - This diagram illustrates how much of the female and male body may be exposed by rips or tears in a garment (note: this is a special dispensation that applies only if the character is at least partially clothed). Note that in the case of female characters, more may be exposed by rents in the fabric of clothing whilst in a state of full dress than may be shown whilst the character is naked (this is an intentional decision, as tears in clothes are less likely to be eroticised or prurient). Rips, tears, or rents in fabric may be no longer than 12'' in length, and no wider than 3'' at their widest point. Where an entire section of clothing is damaged or torn away to expose flesh, the dispensation for rips does not apply - instead, the diagram labelled Fig 1b. shall be used to determine whether the exposure is acceptable or not.
Note that even if a character is supposed to be wearing inappropriate clothing, no more may be shown than if they were depicted as naked. The wearing of "unacceptable" clothing must never be presented as desirable or admirable (although some leniency may be exercised in the matter of swimming trunks, bathing costumes, etc.) and never used as an excuse for prurience. All characters, regardless of their appropriateness in the fiction, should be depicted in dress reasonably acceptable first to present society and second to the character's society (thus clothing acceptable to present society but not to the character's society is permissible for the purposes of what is actually shown, but the reverse is not true). Female clothing shall never be designed so as to accentuate female physical attributes.
Also note that child characters are not exempt from the above rules on what parts of the body may be shown.
Blurring, "black boxes", silhouette, screen trimming and other forms of censorship are NOT valid methods of obscuring the human body for the purposes of the above. Furthermore, unacceptable films may not be edited by these methods to bring them in line with the Content Code, but shall be released uncensored with a clear notice that they are not approved by the Content Code. Undressing scenes may only be used given compelling figurative justification for their inclusion (mere titillation is not sufficient justification).
Body Modification:
Depiction of the following is absolutely forbidden, regardless of its treatment in the plot: Decorative tattoos, piercings (this includes pierced ears, irrespective of gender), decorative brandings, studs set in the flesh, evidence of habitual self-harm.
Note that body modification performed against the character's wishes is permissible, although the modification must be depicted as an morally unacceptable act (for example, it would be acceptable to portay a totalitarian regime where citizens are identified by a concentration camp-esque barcode tattooed on their arm, providing it was portrayed as a dystopia). This would include scars and evidence of physical abuse.
Body Types:
Wherever possible a wide range of body types, both female and male, shall be shown to avoid stereotyping. Female characters shall be representative of the population at large without exaggeration of any physical attribute.
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Afterword: Well, hopefully that has opened your eyes to the possibility of a self-censoring code media-makers can adopt to create a "wholesome" final product without sacrificing their ability to create mature or even "dark" storylines. I realise some of these strictures may seem overly harsh and/or partaking of a double standard, however, trust me when I say this is the least we should be doing (for example, compared to the Hayes or Comics Code, my Violence section is EXTREMELY liberal, and my Content Code offers creators absolute freedom in the realm of ghosts, ghouls, and vampires, placing no restrictions upon treatment of monsters or the living dead whatsoever). I did consider making it stricter, for example banning the depiction of dancing altogether, but felt that smacked a bit of mean-spirited American Deep South Puritanism. As it stands, providing you can find a dance which is completely non-sexual, you can use it. :snickers: Anyhow, this article/rant/proposed blueprint for global fascism is over, so you can keep staring blankly at the screen, or you can click the following link to be magically transported back to the 'Rants' menu.