News
MP Keith Vaz welcomes Byron Review
Neil Long Mar 31 2008, 2:37pm
Comments (9)
…but links gaming to Pakeerah tragedy once again, despite conclusive evidence to the contrary
MP Keith Vaz has released a statement to the press welcoming the proposals within the Byron Review - but in doing so he suggests once again that Rockstar title Manhunt was linked to the murder of Stefan Pakeerah in 2004.
The statement reads: “Mr Vaz first became involved in the issue when his constituent - 14 year-old Stefan Pakeerah - was murdered by 17 year-old Warren LeBlanc who was imitating scenes from the violent computer game Manhunt in 2004.”
“Mr Vaz called for this game and its follow-up Manhunt 2 to be banned based on compelling evidence that such games had a direct impact on the actions of this man.”
Despite what Vaz suggests, Manhunt was judged to have played no part in the 2004 murder case – but nevertheless he adds: “Who knows what may have happened if these proposals were in place just prior to Stefan Pakeerah’s death.”
Today Vaz tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons which said: “That this House warmly welcomes the publication of Tanya Byron’s report Safe Children in a Digital World; notes that it accepts that violent video games do have an affect on children and therefore their availability to children need to be properly controlled; considers that it is only through a partnership between parents, retailers and the video games industry that these issues can be addressed and calls on the Government to implement the recommendations in full and immediately.”
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Comments
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: Brett Stocks - Mar 31, 2:57pm
"Notes that it accepts that violent video games do have an affect on children."
No it doesn't. Stop trying to twist the results to suit your own views and opinions.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: Dave - Mar 31, 2:58pm
Wasn't it proved after the case that it was actually the victim of the murder who was a fan of the game not his killer? Seem to remember this being rubbished over and over again, but of course the truth doesn't sell newspapers like scare stories do... lazy incompetant crap you come to expect from our elected politicians...
“Idiot”
Posted by: Bruceongames - Mar 31, 3:06pm
Will he never give up? The Byron Review proves that he has been consistently wrong. Will he admit it?
Also that Early Day Motion contains a lie, so it was obviously drafted by a politician.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: scottmpamp - Mar 31, 3:07pm
Am so sick of these stories/opinions by people that have absolutely no idea.
I believe the reality is that we as a gaming community will need to put up with such sensationalist garbage by such people until all the old dinosaurs that really have no understanding of video games die off, and the current generations that have grown up on video games gain positions of power and prominence and the whole debate can disappear, or at least fade away.
All entertainment mediums have gone through this scrutiny at one stage or another, and whilst i am not saying we shouldn't fight back or defend our industry, we can also be sure that video games will persevere and are here to stay. I do not disagree with the need for regulation, but as has been said too many times before, this does not need to be any different to the movie industry, and also should rely primarily on responsible parenthood.
Please, please, please.....unless you have something valuable to say, and are not just striking out in fear against a foreign medium that you have no plausible understanding of, LEAVE US THE F*** ALONE.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: flakmagnet - Mar 31, 3:08pm
@ 2, yes, it was the victim, not the murderer that owned the game and played it. Yet it didn't stop the case getting mentioned on BBC news last week. I actually had the link to the original BBC story stating that the murder was caused by thre game, then the link to the story that stated that it actually belonged to the victim. Every time it appears falsely on the BBC website, I copy them both to the BBCs editing staff and question why it has been quoted incorrecly once again. I have to question why I bother since it was mentioned again on the main news show last week. The state of journalism in general is (IMO) very poor.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: byronic - Mar 31, 3:25pm
He is an insufferable ****.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: Jamz666 - Mar 31, 3:52pm
What hope do any of us have, when the politicians will twist words to suit their cause\image, and we have the papers asking actors to get some money by saying games caused them to commit crime. I'm surprised that they didn't ask for a photo as well, so it could prove that games were turning the middle classes to a life of crime.
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Mar 31, 4:26pm
Its about time the gaming industry actually hit back before these loons put more taxes on gaming
“Re: keith vas”
Posted by: Bert the happy fish - Mar 31, 6:37pm
Now now, you have to remember needs to do these publicity stunts in the hope that people will forget all the other news articles about him over the year.