Anna Ju A2 Media

 

  Video Game Censorship in NZ: Case Study Christchurch Terror Attack Video Game Ban (2019) In October 2019, New Zealand's Chief Censor, David Shanks, banned a video game that glorified the Christchurch mosque terrorist attacks. The game placed players in the role of a white supremacist terrorist and rewarded them for targeting people who were not white heterosexual males. The ban came after the Christchurch mosque attacks on 15 March 2019, where 51 Muslim worshippers were killed and dozens more injured. The attack was livestreamed online and accompanied by extremist propaganda. New Zealand authorities had already banned the livestream footage and manifesto linked to the attacker. The video game was viewed as another form of extremist content designed to celebrate and encourage similar acts of violence. David Shanks described the game as a product created specifically for white supremacists and stated that it was designed to spread hate and encourage killing. The Office of Film and ...

  MEDIA EFFECTS by Anna Ju

  1. Who classifies media content in New Zealand? Two organisations are involved: The Film and Video Labelling Body (FVLB) gives unrestricted ratings (G, PG, M). The Classification Office (formerly the Office of Film and Literature Classification) decides whether content should be restricted (R13, R16, R18, etc.) or banned as objectionable . The current Chief Censor is Caroline Flora. 2. What issues does the Classification Office have to consider? The Classification Office considers whether content is likely to be harmful or injurious to the public good . They pay particular attention to: Violence Sexual content Crime Horror Cruelty Offensive language Drug use Suicide themes Harmful or dangerous behaviour The likely impact on children and young people Freedom of expression versus public safety Content that promotes or supports things such as child sexual exploitation, torture, extreme violence, bestiality, or necrophilia can be banned as objectionable. 3. What legislation are the...