Censorship Ministers urged to maintain computer game standards
Friday 31 October 2002
Barbara Biggins, OAM, President of the Australian Council on Children
and the Media, trading as Young Media Australia (YMA), today called
on Censorship Ministers to vote against the introduction of an “R18+”
classification for video games when they meet in Fremantle on 78
November 2002.
“The proposal to establish an “R18+” classification for computer
games is opposed by YMA because it is likely to release many games
that are currently banned, and these will be easily obtained by
children” stated Ms Biggins. “A relaxing of the present stance which
bans high impact violence and simulated or explicit sexually material
is not supported by research reviews. It will significantly increase
parents’ problems in keeping their children away from graphic violent
material. Young Media Australia believes that there is much information
from recent research that could have usefully informed this review
of the guidelines, and which has failed to be used.”
It is understood that both the Commonwealth and South Australian
Attorneys General will oppose the introduction of the “R18+” classification,
but that Queensland will support it. The position of other states
is not known. YMA believes that any changes to the guidelines require
unanimous agreement by all Censorship Ministers and so hopes that
the proposal may not proceed on this basis.
Another key issue being discussed by Censorship Ministers at the
Fremantle meeting is the introduction of a “G8+” classification,
a change which YMA strongly supports. Ms Biggins explained “The
present “G”, “PG” and “M” classifications, though well recognised
by parents, are limited in their usefulness. The present “G” and
“PG” classifications are not good predictors of what may seriously
upset children under eight years. A “G8+” classification would clearly
indicate such material.
YMA is Australia’s only national advocacy organisation representing
the interests of children and young people in relation to print,
electronic and screen-based media, and provides a valuable resource
for legislators, regulators and the media. YMA recently established
Australia’s first national freecall media Helpline on 1800 700 357.
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