Panorama Goes Tabloid on Games

Excellent piece Michael. We really should speak soon, the time is right.

Great feature, I've avoided watching the paranorama show so far as this type of lazy journalism really annoys me. Its a shame that a corporation such as the BBC doesnt seem able to devote the time to construct a balanced arguement on the subject of computer games.

I think we should all write letters of complaint to the BBC, I'm sure it doesn't matter if we haven't watched the paranorma episode, after all how many people that complained about Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross had actually listened to the radio show?

yeah I ignored the show by basically not watching it, but nice piece.

I have gotten to the point where I don't care any more, its like anything else people moan and dismiss it but no one does anything about it, so why worry?

Why worry? Because if you don't fight your corner, your opinion becomes marginalised. Gamers get enough bad stick without poor journalism like Panorama coming along with misinformation, stirring the pot even further.

I didn't write this piece because I was asked to. I wrote it because I was disappointed and angry at shoddy reporting from the BBC. Not caring means that they'll get away with stating 'facts' with no evidence, and if they keep pulling stunts like that, I'll keep kicking up a fuss.

Nice peice, I must admit i was expecting alot worse and felt there was a hint of balance so wasn't nearly as bad as a tabloid article.
I felt the conclusion of the show from the evidence presented was that games as a whole aren't addictive. but yes a small proportion (typically online based) can induce addictive behaviour in some people, whether the games induce this or not is a matter for further research.
but i felt the show built up its anger towards the end and let itself down and hence this message was lost.

@gingineer just read that back, the first line is that i was expecting worse from the program not from your writing Michael. it was the dyslexic in me.

@Michael_Fox

Yeah i agree but I have felt the same way many times and I have even stood on the other side when I can see how games can cause offence and problems, but seriously I have lost interest in defending the games industry, esp when EA and the Taliban stuff just causes to defeat it, but good on you for keeping up the fight, I just cant be bothered any more, I play the games and shrug the crap, I suppose I should care and I should worry, but the fact I am losing interest in games doesn't help, the industry is becoming bland. maybe one day again..

As a parent of children that game I try to inform them and I will let them carry it on, I have even recently allowed my daughter to play red dead and she is 12, why? well why as a parent would I not let her if I make sure she understands the context and i feel she is mature enough to handle it, parental responsibility I see it isn't to hide these taboos away but to educate and inform and buy making sure she is OK with this then I feel I have taken parental responsibility to the right levels. don't get me wrong I aim not going to let my 5 year old play GTA or anything but rather than just buy my 12yr old Red Dead and play ignorant when she is throwing horses off a 200ft cliff, it makes sense to allow her to play rather than her sneak it.


I know I am completely off subject here with panorama, but my point is I don't worry any more as long as I do my part for me and my family then at least i am doing a small part in the parental responsibility, and I wont worry about some BBC moron reporter.

I can't agree more. It's the first time I've seen panorama for ages and I was shocked at the poor journalism. It seemed like an episode of the day today!

Ill informed, sloppy and just terrible.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this.