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 FootageThere 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.