VG247 » National Coalition Against Censorship http://www.vg247.com VG247.com Mon, 03 Aug 2015 02:51:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2 Violent games banned at New Jersey library, anti-censorship group protests http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/05/violent-games-banned-at-new-jersey-library-anti-censorship-group-protests/ http://www.vg247.com/2013/02/05/violent-games-banned-at-new-jersey-library-anti-censorship-group-protests/#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:14:00 +0000 http://www.vg247.com/?p=336626 This old thing again. Staff members have successfully petitioned to block the playing of shooter on computers at the Paterson Free Public Library in New Jersey. The petition comes over fear that violent titles are teaching kids bad behaviour. Let’s get on with then shall we?

Gamepolitics reports that library board member Irene Sterling said of the move, “We felt we should do everything we can to prevent our kids from learning these behaviors.”

The library’s director, Cindy Czesak added, “We feel a responsibility to the kids of the community.”

While shooters in the library would surely put people off their studies, there are questions being raised over who is playing these games. Think of it this way, you have a young child who is banned from violent games at his parents. So they sneak off to the library to play them.

However, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) has sent a letter to the library criticising its decision. It has so far received many signatures from prominent lobby groups geared towards freedom of expression.

“It is no more acceptable for a library to ban access to certain kinds of video games than it would be to selectively remove other lawful materials. Library patrons,including young people, have a First Amendment right to make their own decisions about literature, art, informational materials, and entertainment without having those choices limited by the subjective views of library officials. Library officials attempt to justify their decision by claiming that they are acting in parens patriae.

“However, librarians are not baby-sitters, and they have no way to know that their views correspond with those of parents or guardians. Moreover, the policy apparently applies to patrons of all ages, including adults and minors who are accompanied by an adult.”

Both valid points on both sides? What’s your take? Let us know below.

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NCAC upset over arcade games pulled from Massachusetts rest areas http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/30/ncac-upset-over-arcade-games-pulled-from-massachusetts-rest-areas/ http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/30/ncac-upset-over-arcade-games-pulled-from-massachusetts-rest-areas/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 21:36:29 +0000 http://www.vg247.com/?p=334885 The Massachusetts Department of Transportation decided to remove arcade games it deemed violent from rest stop in the state earlier this month, which has caused the National Coalition Against Censorship to cry foul.

According to a letter issued by its executive director, Joan Bertin, the pulling of said games goes against the 2011 Supreme Court decision regulation of violent games is unconstitutional. The pulling of the arcade titles is also “equally constitutionally problematic,” due to the games being removed “after a single complaint” from a concerned citizen.

“There is no legitimate state interest that could be asserted to justify removing specific games to appease the sensibilities of certain motorists,” Bertin wrote in her letter. “Moreover, by caving to the demands of one passer-by, the Department will inevitably invite others to register complaints about material they deem inappropriate.

“It is not a stretch to imagine someone demanding a ban on certain DVDs, magazines, or books. Perhaps other travelers will think it is inappropriate to broadcast news about war or crime, or other televised content. It is no more acceptable for the Department to remove certain kinds of video games than it would be to selectively remove other materials in rest stops and concessions because some motorists find something in them objectionable.”

Some of the arcade games pulled from rest areas include the 1999 Digital Fusion title Beach Head 2000 and the 1995 shooter Time Crisis.

Thanks, GI International.

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