The independent video game consumers group, Gamers' Voice have issued a formal complaint (available in PDF form here) to Channel 5 and Princess Productions who create The Wright Stuff morning magazine programme. The complaint concerns the show that was aired on 14th April 2011, that featured a lengthy debate on the relationship between violent crimes and violent video games.
The discussion that was had was very one sided, with the panellists on the show declaring a definitive causal link between violent video games and violent crime. This was despite the fact that there is no proof that such a link exists.
The only counter to this argument came from the audience of the programme who called in to retort any claim to a direct link to crime and the playing of certain video games. Regrettably these retorts were rebuffed by the panellists to the point of accusing them of having criminal tendencies simply by playing video games.
Admittedly this was said in jest, but there comes a point where certain topics need careful examination and making baseless comments to people who have called into the programme in good faith does nothing for the programme's credibility.
In order to redress the balance, Gamers' Voice have issued an open letter that can be read below. It seeks an apology from both Princess Productions and Channel 5 over the statements made in the 14th April 2011 edition of The Wright Stuff.
No Russian Footage
There is one further point that Gamers' Voice have raised as a concern on the above programme. During the debate, footage from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was shown, without warning to the viewer. It was of the now infamous level 'No Russian', and showed the player shooting unarmed civilians in an airport. This footage was broadcast at 10:30am, well before the 9pm watershed and was therefore in breach of the Broadcasting Code as defined by Ofcom.
Gamers' Voice has registered a formal complaint with Ofcom against Channel 5 over this breach. This can also be done by individuals as well, not just organisations such as Gamers' Voice. If readers of this article wish to lodge a complaint regarding the broadcasting of this footage, please follow the instructions below:
1) Send your browser of choice to the following location: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/
2) Click on the link labelled 'A particular programme you saw (or were in)'
3) Fill out the online form and enter the following in the complaint detail section:
During the debate on violent video games, footage was shown from the video game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This showed a player from a first person perspective shooting unarmed civilians with an assault rifle at close range.
This game carries with it a BBFC rating of 18 is not therefore suitable viewing for anyone under the age of 18. By showing this footage at 10:30am during the Easter school holidays, Channel 5 are in breach of the Broadcasting Code, Section 1, clauses 1.1 to 1.7 and more specifically 1.11 to 1.13, the latter of which concern the display of violent images to children.
4) Submit the form. You should get an acknowledgement email stating that Ofcom have received the complaint.
The more people do this, the more Ofcom will have to take action. So if you really care about the games you play and are sick of having to defend them, lodge that complaint.
The discussion that was had was very one sided, with the panellists on the show declaring a definitive causal link between violent video games and violent crime. This was despite the fact that there is no proof that such a link exists.
The only counter to this argument came from the audience of the programme who called in to retort any claim to a direct link to crime and the playing of certain video games. Regrettably these retorts were rebuffed by the panellists to the point of accusing them of having criminal tendencies simply by playing video games.
Admittedly this was said in jest, but there comes a point where certain topics need careful examination and making baseless comments to people who have called into the programme in good faith does nothing for the programme's credibility.
In order to redress the balance, Gamers' Voice have issued an open letter that can be read below. It seeks an apology from both Princess Productions and Channel 5 over the statements made in the 14th April 2011 edition of The Wright Stuff.
No Russian Footage
There is one further point that Gamers' Voice have raised as a concern on the above programme. During the debate, footage from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was shown, without warning to the viewer. It was of the now infamous level 'No Russian', and showed the player shooting unarmed civilians in an airport. This footage was broadcast at 10:30am, well before the 9pm watershed and was therefore in breach of the Broadcasting Code as defined by Ofcom.
Gamers' Voice has registered a formal complaint with Ofcom against Channel 5 over this breach. This can also be done by individuals as well, not just organisations such as Gamers' Voice. If readers of this article wish to lodge a complaint regarding the broadcasting of this footage, please follow the instructions below:
1) Send your browser of choice to the following location: http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/
2) Click on the link labelled 'A particular programme you saw (or were in)'
3) Fill out the online form and enter the following in the complaint detail section:
During the debate on violent video games, footage was shown from the video game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This showed a player from a first person perspective shooting unarmed civilians with an assault rifle at close range.
This game carries with it a BBFC rating of 18 is not therefore suitable viewing for anyone under the age of 18. By showing this footage at 10:30am during the Easter school holidays, Channel 5 are in breach of the Broadcasting Code, Section 1, clauses 1.1 to 1.7 and more specifically 1.11 to 1.13, the latter of which concern the display of violent images to children.
4) Submit the form. You should get an acknowledgement email stating that Ofcom have received the complaint.
The more people do this, the more Ofcom will have to take action. So if you really care about the games you play and are sick of having to defend them, lodge that complaint.
Games:
Modern Warfare 2
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Comments
Cfan 19 Apr 2011 09:01
1/8
It's like banging your head against a brick wall, until a new form of media come out, games will always be blamed for everything, it follows a pattern.
deleted 19 Apr 2011 10:23
2/8
I am not going to complain on the basis that I believe Violent Games do not have any influence on people to commit violent crimes, sure its a 18cert game and shouldn't be shown before 9pm but I feel complaining about that part only backs up the thoughts of the panel on the Wright Stuff, it feels hypocritical. and i certainly care about the games I play and want to continue too, but I don't think the type of footage shown is relevant, the point should be its a 18cert product being shown, it should be regardless of Game, Film or Musical Content, and by complaining on such a basis would only further condemn gaming. The compliant should simply be on the basis of if it offended you not on one-upmanship!
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DrkStr 19 Apr 2011 11:42
3/8
I have complained and I disagree with haritori - I think by pointing out that the game has a BBFC 18 rating, you are trying to get the point across that not all games are for children, there is no one-upmanship involved.
Remember, the Tichmarsh thing stated that there were no ratings for games so we need to make poeple aware that there are and they are legally enforced!
Remember, the Tichmarsh thing stated that there were no ratings for games so we need to make poeple aware that there are and they are legally enforced!
config 19 Apr 2011 11:58
4/8
Personally, I blame mobile phone addiction for ALL criminal activities. You see these brainless folk wandering around in a bubble, communicating with their gang member friends via garbled text messages, organising unplanned and therefore ILLEGAL mob gathering using crime friendly tools like "The Facebook" and "Tweeter" or hooking up with their degenerate brethren using "For Squared" and EARNING REWARDS for checking in with the scum. They're clearly illiterate sub humans, bent on the destruction of our gentile society. Burn them! BURN THEM ALL!
gingineer 19 Apr 2011 13:00
5/8
I agree with DrkStr, it is about age appropriateness and showing No russian was certainly not the Wright thing to do.
I like the letter and think the last line sums it up that the subject is often treated with such carelessness. The issue of the effect of gaming on the young would be interesting to see it on Question time.
I like the letter and think the last line sums it up that the subject is often treated with such carelessness. The issue of the effect of gaming on the young would be interesting to see it on Question time.
config 19 Apr 2011 13:17
6/8
Is the Wright bloke even worth the oxygen, both metaphoric and literal? I avoid daytime TV at all costs, just as I do Glee
deleted 19 Apr 2011 13:36
7/8
@config
John Leslie doesn't think so... ;)
John Leslie doesn't think so... ;)
GdtGm3r 19 Apr 2011 14:09
8/8
It boils down to a simple ploy, they pick a part of the game to show this aggressive violence to bias those watching to the point of their topic.
I have complained as it was totally inapropriate.
I have complained as it was totally inapropriate.
