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Call to censor 'extreme' violence Bid to censor violent films fails
(about 2 hours later)
Explicit and extreme video games and films are fuelling a "tide of violence" in Britain, a Tory MP has said. A Conservative MP has failed in his bid to increase censorship of video games and films containing extreme violence.
Julian Brazier is bidding to give MPs more of a say over appointments to the board of British Board of Film Classification and its guidelines. Julian Brazier's plan would have allowed more appeals against British Board of Film Classification rulings.
But fellow Tory John Whittingdale argued he felt the BBFC was usually right, and in some cases too strict. He argued standards had been "watered down" and explicit films and games were fuelling a "tide of violence".
Earlier the BBFC rejected the serial killer film Murder Set Pieces amid concerns about violent sexual scenes. He was supported by several Tory and Labour MPs, but both front benches opposed it. The Lib Dems said it gave MPs "undue influence" over censorship.
Mr Brazier wants MPs to be able to trigger an appeal against BBFC decisions to restore cut footage or lower a classification of films. Mr Brazier's private member's bill failed when the debate ran out of time. Private member's bills allow individual MPs to introduce legislation on a subject of their choice.
Nazi film Allowing appeals
Currently an appeal must come from the industry; Mr Brazier wants an appeal to be triggered by a motion signed by 50 MPs. He wanted MPs to have more of a say over the BBFC's membership and guidelines, which he argued had been "progressively liberalised" and standards reduced, particularly in regard to knife crime.
During a Commons debate, he cited the example of a previously banned video - SS Experiment Camp - which was re-examined by the BBFC and released in 2005. He also wanted a change to the system that currently only allows appeals against BBFC classifications, or decisions to cut footage, by the entertainment industry.
The growth in violent offences is linked to the growing availability in the media of extremely violent and explicitly sexual material Julian BrazierThe growth in violent offences is linked to the growing availability in the media of extremely violent and explicitly sexual material Julian Brazier
Mr Brazier's plan would have allowed an independent jury to reverse a ruling, if 50 MPs signed a Commons motion - even after the film or game was released.
During a Commons debate, he cited the example of a previously banned video - SS Experiment Camp - which was re-examined by the BBFC and released in 2005.
"The film shows in voyeuristic detail women being tortured to death by SS camp guards," he said."The film shows in voyeuristic detail women being tortured to death by SS camp guards," he said.
'Glamorising rape'
Another film, Irreversible, featured a nine-minute rape scene he said, adding: "If this is not glamorising rape then it is difficult to imagine what would be."Another film, Irreversible, featured a nine-minute rape scene he said, adding: "If this is not glamorising rape then it is difficult to imagine what would be."
He told MPs: "The growth in violent offences is linked to the growing availability in the media of extremely violent and explicitly sexual material."He told MPs: "The growth in violent offences is linked to the growing availability in the media of extremely violent and explicitly sexual material."
'So wrong' I believe the proposals contained within this Bill would give politicians an undue and dangerous influence over these sorts of issues Don Foster Lib Dems
His bill is supported by Labour MP Keith Vaz, who represents a seat in Leicester where the mother of 14-year-old murder victim Stefan Pakeerah publicly attributed his death to his killer's obsession with the Manhunt video game - although the trial judge did not confirm her view. His bill was supported by Labour MP Keith Vaz, who represents a seat in Leicester where the mother of murdered 14-year-old Stefan Pakeerah blamed his killer's obsession with the Manhunt video game - a view not supported by the trial judge.
Mr Vaz was particularly concerned about video games, arguing they were different from films because they are "interactive". Mr Vaz said video games were different from films because they were "interactive".
Actually the scenes of so-called torture and the scenes of sex are mild compared to anything you can go and see today in the Odeon down the road John Whittingdale MP "When they play with these things they are able to interact, they can shoot people, they can kill people, they can rape women and that's what is so wrong about the situation we have at the moment," he said.
"When they plan with these things they are able to interact, they can shoot people, they can kill people, they can rape women and that's what is so wrong about the situation we have at the moment." Good job
But Mr Whittingdale, chairman of the Commons culture, media and sport select committee, said he had been lent a copy of SS Experiment Camp but dismissed it as a "truly dreadful film". Another Labour MP, Stephen Pound, said there was a danger that in extremely violent films "the sanctity of life becomes diluted", particularly when dealing with the young and impressionable. But Conservative MP John Whittingdale dismissed SS Experiment Camp as "pretty tasteless and offensive" but said scenes of sex and violence were mild compared to many mainstream films.
He explained: "It is what is called Italian Schlock and many people will find it offensive because of the subject matter, because it involves Nazis and extermination camps and that is pretty tasteless and pretty offensive. Mr Brazier said extremely violent material contributed towards attacks
"I have to say there is not a single scene in that film that I could argue should be banned. He said Mr Brazier's bill "could do damage to the film industry" and that the BBFC largely did "a reasonably good job".
"Actually the scenes of so-called torture and the scenes of sex are mild compared to anything you can go and see today in the Odeon down the road." Lib Dem spokesman Don Foster suggested if MPs were to start signing a motion to get a title banned "sales would absolutely rocket".
However, he did say he was concerned about big budget "torture porn" films like the Saw and Hostel series of films, which he said should have been cut "more than they were". "I believe the proposals contained within this Bill would give politicians an undue and dangerous influence over these sorts of issues," he added.
Mr Brazier's bill has cross-party support but would need the government's backing to become law. Culture Minister Margaret Hodge said the BBFC, while not getting it right every time did an "extremely good job in incredibly difficult circumstances".
She said the government had responded to concerns by asking Dr Tanya Byron to review whether more regulation to protect children was needed - due to report back next month.
Urging MPs to await that report next month, she said legislation would not be effective on its own. Parents, internet service providers and others would also have to take responsibility. She was still speaking as time ran out at 1430 GMT and the bill now stands no chance of becoming law.
On Friday, the BBFC rejected the serial killer film Murder Set Pieces amid concerns about violent sexual scenes - the ruling means it cannot be legally supplied anywhere in the UK.