However they’re ”pleased” Channel 5 has ”taken our complaint seriously” and reviewed the show. Channel 5 state it’s committed to ”robust debate” with the show.
Unfortunately these are the PR-spun words of an editor of The Wright Stuff. During an episode of the show they coupled 22-year-old murderer Leon Dunkley and videogames, with celebrity Anne Diamond dismissing research that suggest no link exists.
Gamer’s Voice said the show choose ”uninformed statements and sensationalist representation over a balanced look at the issue” in a letter to Channel 5.
”We always make every effort to ensure that discussions on controversial subjects are fair and balanced, and I am happy that we did so on this occasion,” said Caroline Davies, The Wright Stuff editor.
”We are, however, an open access current affairs discussion programme and are strongly committed to fostering robust debate and the expression of strongly held opinions. We are the only such programme on British television.”
”We always aim for balance but what we will never do is suppress the expression of legitimate and reasonable opinions simply because we disagree with them,” she continued. ”Matthew in fact felt they were not the cause. So far as the research is concerned, he repeatedly stressed that this is inconclusive.”
Overall the show has ‘demonised’ videogamers.
Gamer’s Voice has written to OfCom after The Wright Stuff aired a clip of the 18-rated Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at 10:30am, which is long before the watershed.
The editor defended the decision: ”We did feel it was essential to use a short clip to illustrate the discussion; many of our viewers are not gamers and it may have been meaningless to them otherwise.” Ironically this is the problem as many who watch the show are exposed to the unfortunate ignorance and prejudices of the panellists.
”It was editorially necessary, but very short, and as you point out, a game image rather than real violence; indeed, in the light of your comments I do not really follow your objection to its inclusion, but as you have referred this to OfCom we will await their response. I am satisfied it was well within the relevant guidelines.”
Gamers’ Voice chairman Paul Gibson remains unhappy with Channel 5.
”Whilst their response puts great emphasis on the experience and ‘credibility’ of the panellists by claiming that they are ‘intelligent and reasonable people’ they do not in any way refer to the inflammatory and quite frankly insulting remarks made regarding gamers in general,” he said.
”Our complaint to OfCom remains a live issue however, and we look forward to the results of that complaint in due course. Overall we are pleased that Channel 5 have taken our complaint seriously and have performed this review. Even though they do not acknowledge any wrongdoing, we hope that our action will cause the broadcasters and the presenters to carefully consider their statements and subject matter in the future.”
Hopefully some victory can be achieved through all this and help stem the tide of generations who know little about videogames spouting as ‘experts’ on the matter. Society is aggressive by its very nature, some people simply enjoy aggression more than others.
Personally I’d blame reality TV for making violence and general douchebaggery ‘cool’.
