Who and What.

OfCom

OfCom (short abbreviation of the Office for Communications) is the main regulator within the United Kingdom.

(Definition of Regulate/or/ing - A company that controls/maintains/supervises the actions of an object i.e. OfCom regulates the broadcasting companies).

OfCom was set up to regulate TV/Film/Radio stations throughout the United Kingdom, they also regulate fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services and the airways over which wireless devices operate.

They were set up after the governments Communications Act 2003.

OfCom Research Reference: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/about/

ASA

The ASA (short for Advertising Standards Authority) are the regulators for advertisements across all media sectors within the United Kingdom.
They work within TV/Film/Radio sectors but are most likely mainly involved with Internet, as they deal with complaints from the United Kingdom general public concerning harmful/misleading/offensive  advertisements within media sectors, this could include spam and virus infected pop-up windows.

ASA Research Reference: http://www.asa.org.uk/About-ASA.aspx

The difference between OfCom and the ASA is that ASA cannot ban advertisements, whilst OfCom can.

VLV

VLV (short for Voice of the Listener and Viewer) allows the voice of the citizens and consumers of the United Kingdom be heard. They represent their (citizens and consumers) interests and queries surrounding broadcast-able material. They wholly support public service broadcasting as well as championing (support) quality and diversity within media sectors revolving around the public.

VLV Research Reference: http://www.vlv.org.uk

The difference between VLV and OfCom/ASA is that VLV deals and supports with the general public, whereas ASA and OfCom deal with the governments interests surrounding media. Also VLV have no legal constraints, whereas OfCom have total legal constraint surrounding media, ASA do have legal constraints but they have to consult OfCom first.

BFI

The BFI (short for British Film Institute) is a charity governed by the Royal Charter.
BFI award lottery funding to film productions, along with distribution, education, audience research and development and market intelligence and research.

BFI Research Reference: http://www.bfi.org.uk/about-bfi

The BFI