UK Government Still Dragging Heels on Byron Report
Public consultation period still not under way
Margaret Hodge
Despite having pledged to "act immediately" on implementing the recommendations of Byron Report into violence in game and children over two months ago, the UK government still hasn't initiated the public consultation period recommended - never mind altered the ratings system.
Margaret Hodge, the Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), was asked by Jeremy Hunt, who shadows her for the Tories, "whether the public consultation on video game age ratings classification will include examination of the merits of the (a) British Board of Film Classification system, (b) Pan European Games Information system and (c) hybrid system recommended in the Byron Review."
Hodge's response was, "Details of the consultations are not yet finalised. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to take forward the recommendations in the Byron Review, not to repeat the analysis Dr. Byron concluded for her report." (our emphasis).
SPOnG's left wondering when, exactly, the details will be finalised. It's now been over two months since a government announcement told us, "Ed Balls and Andy Burnham today welcomed the Byron Review of the risks to children of potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the Internet and in video games. Accepting all Dr Byron’s recommendations, they pledged to act immediately on taking forward her proposals."
It's almost a month since Lord Adonis, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Schools and Learners) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families told us nearly the exact same thing. The definition of the word "immediately" seems to be broadening with each passing day.
Source: TheyWorkForYou
Margaret Hodge, the Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), was asked by Jeremy Hunt, who shadows her for the Tories, "whether the public consultation on video game age ratings classification will include examination of the merits of the (a) British Board of Film Classification system, (b) Pan European Games Information system and (c) hybrid system recommended in the Byron Review."
Hodge's response was, "Details of the consultations are not yet finalised. The purpose of the consultation exercise is to take forward the recommendations in the Byron Review, not to repeat the analysis Dr. Byron concluded for her report." (our emphasis).
SPOnG's left wondering when, exactly, the details will be finalised. It's now been over two months since a government announcement told us, "Ed Balls and Andy Burnham today welcomed the Byron Review of the risks to children of potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the Internet and in video games. Accepting all Dr Byron’s recommendations, they pledged to act immediately on taking forward her proposals."
It's almost a month since Lord Adonis, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Schools and Learners) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families told us nearly the exact same thing. The definition of the word "immediately" seems to be broadening with each passing day.
Source: TheyWorkForYou
People:
Margaret Hodge
Read More Like This
Comments
schnide 6 Jun 2008 13:42
1/3
I hope no-one's suggesting that the Byron Review (and I love how official that sounds, even though it was headed by a TV psychologist) was just a PR stunt and that no-one in this failing government actually cares about the effect of videogames.
Margaret Hodge is the MP for where my grandad lives. She is also a right knobber.
Margaret Hodge is the MP for where my grandad lives. She is also a right knobber.
Steviepunk 6 Jun 2008 14:38
2/3
Looks like they are waiting for everyone to forget about the report since it didn't come back with anything politically useful.
Let's face it, right now the government needs to rally supporters, and they are not going to do that with "games are fine, just need to make a few tweaks to the rating system". Of course, I'm sure they were expecting (or at least hoping for) "games are evil and your children are in danger".
Once Byron is forgotten, they'll get another report that gives them the sensationalist campaign they are after.
Let's face it, right now the government needs to rally supporters, and they are not going to do that with "games are fine, just need to make a few tweaks to the rating system". Of course, I'm sure they were expecting (or at least hoping for) "games are evil and your children are in danger".
Once Byron is forgotten, they'll get another report that gives them the sensationalist campaign they are after.
Richard 7 Jun 2008 08:25
3/3
I did not think there was actually anything to implement from the report?
The news stories of the day went on about how games should have age ratings on - oh look, they are already.
Let's be honest, the government knows jack about gaming, and the only thing that this report proves is that even when they try to get into it, they still haven't the faintest idea.
The news stories of the day went on about how games should have age ratings on - oh look, they are already.
Let's be honest, the government knows jack about gaming, and the only thing that this report proves is that even when they try to get into it, they still haven't the faintest idea.