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A digital advocacy network opposes proposed legislation aimed at regulating and classifying online video games.
Digital Pinoys national campaign chief Ronald Gustilo said the existing system for rating video game content by the Entertainment Software Rating Body is sufficient. The ESRB is a self-regulatory body that independently applies and enforces industry-accepted ratings, advertising guidelines, and Internet privacy principles.
“Further classification and regulation of video games is completely unnecessary. The ESRB video game content rating system is already in place and has proven to be effective in classifying and enforcing video games around the world. We believe that the body is enough.”
It will be recalled that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian submitted the Act on Regulation of Video and Online Gaming and Outdoor Media. Similar versions were also proposed earlier in Congress, but did not pass into law.
Gustilo questions the ability of the Board of Review and Classification of Motion Pictures and Television to review video games. The MTRCB is also tasked with reviewing TV shows and movies as per its mandate.
Gustilo said revising the MTRCB’s mandate to include video game review, classification and regulation is already redundant to what video game creators and developers are already doing.
“Despite the lack of law, video game creators and developers self-impose ESRB ratings for their video games. We believe that this is already enough, and state regulation is unnecessary.”
Gustilo also noted that after the adoption of the draft law, budgetary requirements will be required. According to the Ministry of Finance, the budget deficit of the Philippines is 833 billion euros.
“Can the government still afford to take on another regulatory function, talking about right-sizing and streamlining within government? Perhaps she should focus her attention and resources on solving the budget deficit, and not spend on unnecessary things.”
Gustilo also said that if the government intends to prevent violent thoughts among the youth, it must address the real-life issues that give rise to violence. Gustilo also questions the basis of the proposed law.
“Is there evidence that video games are a major cause of violence? We ask this question because we believe there are real-life problems that government should be dealing with, such as poverty. If people earn enough, will they still steal? Will they choose a life of crime if they put enough food on the table and can send their children to school? We don’t think so. So we need a holistic government approach to fighting poverty to be able to fight crime. Unless there is evidence that video games cause violence, we will remain steadfast on the bill.”
Link: Ronald Gustilo, Digital Pinoys National Campaign Manager
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