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 Literature Classification ruled the game "objectionable" under New Zealand law, making it illegal to possess, distribute, or share.

As a result of the censorship:

The game became illegal in New Zealand.
Internet service providers were informed of the ban.
The public was encouraged to report copies of the game.
Authorities reinforced efforts to prevent extremist content from spreading online.
The ban supported New Zealand's broader response to preventing copycat terrorism following the Christchurch attacks.

The decision reflected New Zealand's strong stance against content that promotes terrorism, hate speech, and extremist violence.

The First Video Game Banned in New Zealand: Manhunt (2004)

The first video game ever banned in New Zealand was Manhunt, released by Rockstar Games.

In 2003, Chief Censor Bill Hastings classified the game as objectionable due to its extreme violence. The game follows a character named Cash, a death-row prisoner who is forced to participate in a series of brutal killings while being filmed for a snuff movie.

Players were rewarded for carrying out increasingly graphic murders using weapons such as plastic bags, glass shards, and chainsaws. The game's violence was considered excessive and likely to be harmful if viewed or played by young people.

After the ban:

Manhunt became illegal to import, sell, or distribute in New Zealand.
Customs placed the game on an alert list.
Several people were prosecuted for attempting to import and sell copies.
Those charged faced fines of up to $20,000 or imprisonment.

The ban was controversial because some argued that adults should have the right to choose what games they play. Others believed the extreme violence crossed a line and justified censorship.

Media Effects Theory and Video Game Censorship

Media Effects Theory examines how media can influence people's thoughts, emotions, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours.

Supporters of censorship often use Media Effects Theory to argue that repeated exposure to violent or extremist media may:

Desensitise people to violence.
Reinforce extremist beliefs.
Encourage imitation or copycat behaviour.
Normalise hatred towards certain groups.
Influence attitudes and perceptions over time.

The Christchurch terror game is a strong example of concerns about reinforcement and triggering effects. Rather than simply depicting violence, the game celebrated real-world terrorism and promoted extremist ideology. Regulators believed the game could reinforce hateful beliefs among vulnerable individuals and encourage others to imitate terrorist actions.

However, critics of censorship argue that media effects are not automatic. Most people who play violent video games do not become violent criminals. They believe factors such as family environment, mental health, social influences, and personal values play a much larger role than media content alone.

My view is that the Christchurch terror game was correctly banned because it was not simply entertainment. It was designed to celebrate a real terrorist attack and promote extremist ideology. This makes it different from fictional violent games. While Media Effects Theory does not prove that media directly causes violence, it does suggest that media can reinforce existing beliefs and attitudes. In this case, the potential harm outweighed any claim to artistic or entertainment value.

Conclusion

New Zealand has a long history of regulating media that is considered harmful to the public. The banning of Manhunt in 2004 marked the first time a video game was prohibited in the country, while the Christchurch terror game ban in 2019 reflected growing concerns about online extremism and copycat violence.

These cases demonstrate the ongoing debate between freedom of expression and protecting society from harmful content. Through the lens of Media Effects Theory, regulators argue that certain forms of media can influence attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours, particularly when they promote hatred or glorify real-world violence. Whether censorship is always the right solution remains controversial, but these cases show how seriously New Zealand treats media that is perceived to pose a risk to public safety.

Search This Blog

Anna Ju A2 Media