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1509560cookie-checkPresident Trump, Republicans Discuss Adding Terror Ratings To Video Games, Movies
Industry News
2018/03

President Trump, Republicans Discuss Adding Terror Ratings To Video Games, Movies

In the ongoing discussion of regulating video games and movies, there was a meeting held with members of Congress in the White House, where President Trump and some Republicans continued to insist that violent media played a role in the mass shooting that took place at the high school in Parkland, Flordia.

IJR is reporting that during the briefing, which included back and forth comments from both Democrats and Republicans, Republican representative for Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, explained that they need to think about the children and address violent content in video games…

“I’m talking to a lot of young moms. They have said one of the things we need to do as we review these issues is look at entertainment, and the video games, the rating system, the movies, how things are approved and what children are being exposed to, and especially children that have some of these mental health issues, and they feel that has a role to play.”

Trump briefly interjected, mentioning that what his son watches on TV is quite terrible, and that he can’t believe the level of violence on display.

He suggested that they discuss amending the ratings to include “Terror”, saying…

“I think that’s a very important point. The video games, the movies, the internet stuff… it’s so violent, it’s so incredible. I see it. I get to see things you’d be amazed at. I have a young, a very young son who watches – I look at some of the things he’s watching and I say ‘How is that possible?’ – and this is what kids are watching. And maybe you have to take a look at it.

 

“You know you rate movies for different things, maybe you also have to rate them for terror! For what they’re doing and what they’re all about. It’s hard to believe that — at least for a percentage, and maybe it’s a small percentage of children — this doesn’t have a negative impact on their thought process. But these things are really violent.”

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa also agreed with Blackburn and chimed in to support the attack on violence portrayed in media, addressing Trump by saying…

“You’re showing leadership in this meeting and following on what Marsha [Blackburn] said on the incivility of our society and the culture of our society, the thought came to my mind that maybe you could show leadership about all the violence we have out of Hollywood and all these videos.

 

“If you watch Fox News like I do – every night you see all these films about everybody being blown up – well, just think of the impact that makes on young people. And get ’em in here and preach to them like you’re preaching to us.

 

[…] You had Governors telling you this week, the same thing – the culture of our society has gotta change if you’re gonna stop this.”

Grassley is referencing Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin, who has been in Trump’s ear about the media and video games being the major problem for the school shooting that took place in Florida. Bevin has been rallying other Republicans like Grassley to join in on his crusade against violent video games and movies, as outlined by Fox News.

During the White House Business Session, Governor Bevin reiterated what he told the press before about violent content in media, saying…

“This culture of death is becoming pervasive. And if it’s not addressed by all the imperfect people in this room, with a sense of purpose and a sense of aspiration, I think we’re going to see a continued trajectory that’s not good.”

This follows-up on his pleas to have video game makers have a “discussion” about the violent content they produce in their games.

Republican state representative for Rhode Island, Robert Nardolillo III, took what Bevins said and decided to act on it by attempting to introduce a bill that would see a 10% tax hike on violent video games.

So far discussions about regulation have centered around video game and movie labels, while some Republicans such as Congressman Bradley Byrne have sought to institute more strict regulation on what’s allowed to be sold by limiting what kind of violence is portrayed in media.

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