November 20, 2006

 

Contact: Susan Linn (617.278.4282; susan<at>commercialfreechildhood.org)

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

CCFC Statement on the MBTA’s Decision

To Continue Advertising Violent Videogames

 

(Boston) We are extremely disappointed that the MBTA brushed aside the concerns of the communities it serves with a perfunctory and disingenuous response.  It is distressing that the T will continue promoting a notoriously violent videogame, especially as Boston is experiencing a tragic wave of youth violence.

 

The MBTA claims that its guidelines “authorize only a review of the content and images of the advertisement itself.  The MBTA's guidelines do not authorize the MBTA to review the nature of the underlying product that is being advertised.”  Yet the guidelines explicitly state that the MBTA will not display any advertisement promoting the sale of tobacco or adult oriented goods or services—including X or NC17 rated films.  Contrary to the MBTA’s statement, it is clearly within the MBTA’s purview to refuse whole categories of ads when the products advertised threaten public health, or offend community standards.  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories does both.

 

We are not asking the MBTA to make judgments about the suitability of advertising individual videogames.  We are simply asking the MBTA to follow the industry’s own rating system, as it does with movie ratings, and not accept advertisements for Mature-rated videogames. 

 

While media violence is not the sole cause of youth violence, research demonstrates that it is a factor.  A publicly funded state agency should not be in the business of undermining public health.

 

 

IMPORTANT LINKS

 

Boston Coalition to MBTA: “Stop Advertising Violence to Children”  (CCFC Press Release, 11/20/06)

 

CCFC Letter to the MBTA

 

MBTA Statement on Letter

 

Letter criticizes Grand Theft Auto video game ad on T (Boston Globe, 11/20/06)

 

T should put the brakes on violent video game ads (Boston Herald, 11/20/06)

MBTA Ads Stir Controversy (Bostonchannel.com, 11/20/06)

 

 

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration among organizations and individuals who care about children.