Now ITV Wants "Aggressive Teens" to Demonise Games
Not even bothering with objective journalism
Lorraine Kelly: Not laughing at us. Honest.
After Panorama's rather tabloid report on video gaming addiction, ITV has asked game journalists to help it find some aggressive and abusive gamers for an "investigative" piece on Lorraine Kelly's morning show.
We wish we were making this up.
Producers for the TV show have contacted outlets such as CVG asking for guests on a show that seeks to further demonise and condemn the video games industry. The funniest thing is that the ITV spokespeople hope to find examples of aggressive teenagers that are willing to go on their programme.
Here's a segment of the letter; "I am looking for a specific case study for a segment on the show entitled 'Lorraine Investigates' and wondered if you would be able to post the details on your forum.
"The piece is looking at the effects of video games on children and I am looking for the following to interview: Either a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager whose education or relationships with their family have suffered due to the amount of time they spend on computer games, or a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager who has acted aggressively or violent towards another person, as a suspected result of playing violent video games."
Of course, they could be fully aware that we're hardly willing to set ourselves up for another mainstream media pasting, and this could all be a rather dark joke at our expense. But then again, we hate to be so paranoid.
If you want to voice your thoughts with the producer about the upcoming "investigative piece," then CVG has kindly offered the email for you to contact - sarah.collins@itv.com. Voice them nicely, of course.
We wish we were making this up.
Producers for the TV show have contacted outlets such as CVG asking for guests on a show that seeks to further demonise and condemn the video games industry. The funniest thing is that the ITV spokespeople hope to find examples of aggressive teenagers that are willing to go on their programme.
Here's a segment of the letter; "I am looking for a specific case study for a segment on the show entitled 'Lorraine Investigates' and wondered if you would be able to post the details on your forum.
"The piece is looking at the effects of video games on children and I am looking for the following to interview: Either a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager whose education or relationships with their family have suffered due to the amount of time they spend on computer games, or a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager who has acted aggressively or violent towards another person, as a suspected result of playing violent video games."
Of course, they could be fully aware that we're hardly willing to set ourselves up for another mainstream media pasting, and this could all be a rather dark joke at our expense. But then again, we hate to be so paranoid.
If you want to voice your thoughts with the producer about the upcoming "investigative piece," then CVG has kindly offered the email for you to contact - sarah.collins@itv.com. Voice them nicely, of course.
Companies:
ITV
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Comments
irritant 8 Dec 2010 12:31
1/6
So, video games are responsible for parents not being in control of their own children, eh?
idlemichael 8 Dec 2010 12:55
2/6
So, I wrote to Sarah Collins. Here's what I said. Let's see if we get a response.
"Dear Ms. Collins.
I imagine you're fighting your way through a wall of emails at the moment following your request via CVG looking for examples of violence or aggression in teenagers purportedly caused by video games. I assume that this is a reaction to the BBC's Panorama report that aired this past Monday on the same subject, and would ask you and your production team to reconsider your actions.
The entire Panorama investigation had no scientific basis whatsoever, yet kept the pretence that there is a link between video games and addiction throughout. I was moved to write an article for spong.com - http://spong.com/feature/10110274/Feature-Panorama-Goes-Tabloid-on-Games - should you care to read it. I hope that Lorraine Investigates would be able to present a balanced and well reasoned piece on aggression caused by video games, but as you're fishing for "either a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager whose education or relationships with their family have suffered due to the amount of time they spend on computer games, or a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager who has acted aggressively or violent towards another person, as a suspected result of playing violent video games" I can't help but think that this will not be the case.
I implore you, as someone who has played games since the age of six, to not go for the sensationalist angle on this subject. There are many things that may cause aggressive behaviour in anyone, not just teenagers, but placing the blame squarely at the feet of video games is an error. It may be a factor, but then so might be television, the individual's circumstances, or what someone said to them over breakfast that morning. It depends on the person's wiring, not just the bete noir du jour.
I'm tired of something that I (and millions worldwide) enjoy being lambasted on a regular basis with little fact or proof to back spurious claims. Please don't just go for an easy route on this. Be considered and balanced - after all, isn't that what journalism is meant to be about? Facts?
Thank you for your time.
Michael Fox"
"Dear Ms. Collins.
I imagine you're fighting your way through a wall of emails at the moment following your request via CVG looking for examples of violence or aggression in teenagers purportedly caused by video games. I assume that this is a reaction to the BBC's Panorama report that aired this past Monday on the same subject, and would ask you and your production team to reconsider your actions.
The entire Panorama investigation had no scientific basis whatsoever, yet kept the pretence that there is a link between video games and addiction throughout. I was moved to write an article for spong.com - http://spong.com/feature/10110274/Feature-Panorama-Goes-Tabloid-on-Games - should you care to read it. I hope that Lorraine Investigates would be able to present a balanced and well reasoned piece on aggression caused by video games, but as you're fishing for "either a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager whose education or relationships with their family have suffered due to the amount of time they spend on computer games, or a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager who has acted aggressively or violent towards another person, as a suspected result of playing violent video games" I can't help but think that this will not be the case.
I implore you, as someone who has played games since the age of six, to not go for the sensationalist angle on this subject. There are many things that may cause aggressive behaviour in anyone, not just teenagers, but placing the blame squarely at the feet of video games is an error. It may be a factor, but then so might be television, the individual's circumstances, or what someone said to them over breakfast that morning. It depends on the person's wiring, not just the bete noir du jour.
I'm tired of something that I (and millions worldwide) enjoy being lambasted on a regular basis with little fact or proof to back spurious claims. Please don't just go for an easy route on this. Be considered and balanced - after all, isn't that what journalism is meant to be about? Facts?
Thank you for your time.
Michael Fox"
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Jsh 8 Dec 2010 13:08
3/6
I'd like to see an investigation that calls for a teenager or the parents of a child or teenager who has acted aggressively or violent towards another person, as a suspected result of watching Lorraine Kelly. In my own personal poll which I carried out I found there to be a very strong link between the two in 100% of all participant.
gingineer 8 Dec 2010 13:56
4/6
Michael - I can't believe you expected them to know french.
did anyone see the RTS Lecture with Brian Cox? he put across very well how scientific consensus should be given more weight than rouge science papers that grab the head lines (the MMR vaccine is a great example).
did anyone see the RTS Lecture with Brian Cox? he put across very well how scientific consensus should be given more weight than rouge science papers that grab the head lines (the MMR vaccine is a great example).
nibzy 8 Dec 2010 15:41
5/6
Michael, I applaud your attempt at negotiating a fair and balanced argument with these people, however just a few points; 1. They will be lacking the necessary information regarding 'aggression' in humans, a subject I might add that is under great contention in psychology and as of yet can only suggest as to the reasons for its expression. 2. Gaming research so far has rarely been conducted on 'actual game players'. 3. what really constitutes as an aggressive game? I got mad, angry and abusive at pong, space invaders and asteroids, perhaps I need therapy based on that very fact? and...4. Education and relationship problems occur with nearly all adolescents during the years of puberty due the the plasticity of the brain rewiring itself.
There are many more reasons why this whole item will be biased and tipped against the misunderstood youth of today however I am going to stop my rant before I become (more) aggressive and I havent played on a game today. Yet.
There are many more reasons why this whole item will be biased and tipped against the misunderstood youth of today however I am going to stop my rant before I become (more) aggressive and I havent played on a game today. Yet.
deleted 8 Dec 2010 21:26
6/6
Lorraine `Smelly`.... yeah I went there!