Last week GamePolitics reported on legislation proposed by Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA, seen at left). Baca's bill, H.R. 231, would require video games rated T (13+) and higher to carry a cigarette-like warning label that would read:
WARNING: Excessive exposure to violent video games and other violent media has been linked to aggressive behavior.
In response, the Entertainment Consumers Association has launched an action campaign to oppose Baca's bill:
Congress is simply misinformed on this issue. The vast majority of studies show that there is no proven causal link between violent media of any type and aggressive behavior. Several studies suggest that playing video games can be helpful to young people... Further, the bill requires the label even for games that are not rated T or above for violence, which could confuse parents and undermine the ESRB, which according to the FTC is the most enforced media retail system.
HR 231 is an unconstitutional restraint on speech that will harm consumers and parents alike. Please join with the ECA, and let your representatives know that you want them to let the industry and parents continue with a system that works, and have Congress stay focused on the real problems facing our nation.
The campaign site has a suggested letter which users can edit and automatically forward to their congressional representatives.
Rep. Baca, by the way, was recently named one of the Ten Worst Members of Congress by Esquire magazine.
FULL DISCLOSURE DEPT: The ECA is the parent company of GamePolitics.
Comments
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
What a totally ridiculous concept...at least there's empirical evidence that smoking is linked to cancer. But gaming and violence? It's not a causal link, it maybe exacerbates an underlying issue in the smallest of minority cases...but most of all, there's just no proof! Do they really think this will pass? What a waste of taxpayers money...this is just an exercise by politicians to make it look as though they actually give a rat's a$$.
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
At best the studies supporting a link between violent media and aggressive behavior only show a correlation between the two, not a direct casual link. Also the increase in supposed aggressive behaviors or effects is extremely small only about 1% to 2% at best. Not only that but the increase in aggressive behavior is only shown amoungst those with aggressive tendencies to begin with. Add to that the term "aggressive" is extremely vague and overtly broad (it doesn't mean violence with intent to harm and aggression isn't always a bad thing) and these studies are nothing more then psuedoscientific bullshit.
"No law means no law" - Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black on the First Amendment
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
This is good. ECA, go kick some Baka ass!
"That's not ironic. That's justice."
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
Is the ESA involved at all? Surely bullshit like that is as harmful to the industry as to the end user
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
When has the ESA ever done the right thing?
Besides if they give money to fight this thing then they might lose another dozen members...
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
If they are at least as smart as I think they are they will realise that losing a couple of members now could save the industry from censorship or from being banned outright.
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
It might create a self-fulfilling prophecy. You know, like telling a child they're dumb or bad all the time.
Re: ECA Launches Fight Against Video Game Warning Label Bill
Finally. Good God, I was wondering when they were going to get around to this. It's not so much that the bill sucks (I mean, it sucks, but it probably wouldn't hurt business), its more the precedent and implication that video gaming is as bad as smoking.