SELECTIVE CENSORSHIP

16/11/09


A new videogame “call of duty modern warfare 2” was released a few days ago and the sales have already broken previous records. It has been rated 18 on grounds of explicit violence. As it has been customary in the past, its release led to fervent discussions in media about the effects of such games on society. There is now an ongoing verbal warfare between persons who want to sensor it and the people who do not. The main reason sited by the former is that the game is very offensive and could incite violent behaviour particularly in children. The game lobby answered that as it was rated 18 that objection does not apply.


I do not understand how something which is offensively violent for some one who is 17 yrs old becomes nice and pleasure providing to another who is 18 or older. As we all know policing such age restrictions is not only difficult but impossible.


But even if it was easy to do I still find it unacceptable on a basic principle. The gamer lobby does accept that the game is extremely violent and has got some elements (playing a role of terrorist) which society in general feels very uneasy with. And I am sure even the most avid gamers will not knowingly let their children play this game. This is not just out of respect to the law but also due to an instinctive feeling to safeguard their children.


The question is safeguarding against what? The game is not going to harm the child physically as by choking, burning, drowning etc. The harm as everyone perceives is more subtle, probably at psychological or moral level. I personally feel that if some thing is morally or psychologically harmful to people less than 18 yrs old, it can not be categorically said that it will not be the same for the rest.


The situation is similar to what it used to be in past. Many a books and objects of art were banned on the grounds that they were unsuitable for women and servants.


I am not for or against censorship but certainly I am against such selfish selective banning where we fudge the issue by giving an 18 or adult ratings. Either it should be banned for every one or none.


I accept my logic is flawed but that’s how I feel. And who is flawless?