Government versus Industry Self-Regulation: Film Classification in Canada and the United States

Abstract

Film censorship in Canada and the United States was similar in the early decades of film, but while the United States moved from state government censorship to industry self-regulated censorship, censorship remains a provincial government responsibility in Canada. In both countries, agencies officially moved from censorship to age classification, but censorship continues. Comparing the histories of classification in both countries shows similar events happened at different times, which may predict industry self-regulated classification coming to Canada. Comparisons of the film classifications issued by six provincial agencies and the film industry in the United States show that Canadian agencies agree on the classification for more than 70% of films, and that Canadian classifications are more liberal than the classifications issued by the American film industry. The findings are consistent with previous studies. The international comparison finding may reflect Canadian liberalism but is more likely the result of the different agency structures. In a democracy, film classification run by the government is responsive and independent. Film classification run by the film industry may be affected by a desire to protect the industry from government classification. The similar classifications among the provinces suggest regional differences are minor. This and other factors lead to the possibility of Canadian provincial film classifications being replaced by the more conservative American industry film classifications.