BRITAIN — While untold numbers of their fellow citizens eagerly indulge in the viewing of all manner of erotic materials – often at a cost – the staff at the British Board of Film Classification grind their collective teeth at the indignity they must endure by being paid to do the same. So says the Guardian, which reports that the BBFC censors are “in revolt” over a plan that would require them to watch hardcore pornography by themselves, instead of doubling up, as has been the custom.

Affected would be 80 examiners who would suddenly find themselves alone with only themselves and possibly a box of tissues and bottle of lotion while in the professional presence of explicit erotica.

Currently, only the tamest of naughty videos are watched solo, with any film hoping for release in a theater – as well as “sex works” – being seen in pairs duo the potential for censors to encounter material they may be offensive. According to the government, watching porn as a duo helps examiners make a more professional judgment about its value.

Although the BBFC introduced the R18 rating in 1982 for the hundreds of explicit releases being sold in adult shops, the industry has experienced a surge in productivity since then, thanks to a 1999 court ruling that granted hardcore porn legal status. This means more examiners must watch more porn – and paying them two at a go is proving to be an economic hardship during financially lean times.

Instead, the not-for-profit BBFC has proposed that more videos can be evaluated during the same time period if the two-person teams break into individual viewers, each with their own stack of porn.

According to a representative for the agency, “The BBFC is currently consulting staff about a proposal that sex works should also be examined by examiners viewing along, but only on the basis that an appropriate policy is in place for having works that are particularly problematic or unpleasant viewed by teams.”

For those wondering about anti-sex hypocrisy, the rep assures that “Difficult or unpleasant issues or materials are not confined to sex works.”

During an average year, the agency classifies approximately 600 mainstream film releases and 12,000 DVDs. It also rates advertisements and some video games. Films that do not receive an R18 certificate often feature sadomasochistic or violent sexual activities.

Unsurprisingly, some examiners have expressed fear that they might experience sexual arousal if allowed to view pornography alone.

Horror of horrors.