FCC in Search of Universal Ratings System

[clint g]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6216474.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;2

The idea of a universal ratings system in the United States has been talked about for years, but now the idea has a chance to become more than just talk. According to a Bloomberg report, the Federal Communications Commission will open up an official inquiry to consider a single ratings system that would work across television, games, and cell phones.

This actually doesn't seem like such a bad idea to me, although the ESA disagrees

"The ESA appreciates the FCC and its important role," Taylor said. "However, the ESRB rating system is considered by parents, family advocates, the Federal Trade Commission, and elected officials as the gold standard in providing caregivers with the information they need to make the right choices for their families. Universal ratings will, in the end, only serve to confuse consumers, violate the Constitution's first amendment, and are a solution in search of a problem."

That being said, there is one thing that I agree with in regards to the ESRB; the ESRB does seem to be the best, most fully fleshed out rating system on the market. The ratings are certainly more detailed than those for television and the movies. If anything, I would think that the model used by the ESRB should be lifted and implemented in other media

 

[Arrqh]

The ESA's statement is correct. The US government has no right to regulate or rate content and this has been reaffirmed in court many times. If they want to create a universal ratings system, then great, but they can't insist that anyone uses it (except broadcast TV as that falls under the control of the FCC).

 

[Mr. B]

I think the ESA was right in calling this "a solution in search of a problem." Not only would such a program be legally suspect but it would also be a waste of money. Apparently the only thing the government is bringing to the table is a rating system for cell phones and the private sector is already working on that.

 

[bigdaddy]

This is just the government trying to take over EVERY part of entertainment.

The whole point of the FCC is out of date, it's to make sure when there were only three networks that they reported the news fairly. No one has reported the news fairly in 15+ years, so the FCC is trying to expland it's power to everything.

The FCC can go fuck themselves, I'm sure in 10 years I won't be able to say fuck here because the site will be rated PG.

This Family Guy clip never gets old...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NDPT0Ph5rA

 

[Bob The Skutter]

The BBFC were trying to get their hands on legally having to rate video games over here in the UK recently, in the end ELSPA (The European equivalent to ESRB) won out, but now their ratings are legally binding and colour coded to make it easier for idiots to know what 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ means.

 

[Teelie]

I agree with the sentiment that if there were to be an enforced ratings standard, it be taken from the ESRB. For all the flak they get, video games are the most clearly, openly and detailed in their ratings standards and why. There are a few questionable ratings that pop up but compared to the complete and total inconsistency of the MPAA and network ratings, you can't argue the ESRB does a top-notch job.

 

[Rii]

There are a few questionable ratings that pop up but compared to the complete and total inconsistency of the MPAA and network ratings, you can't argue the ESRB does a top-notch job.

Societal mores haven't shifted much in the short time gaming has been a serious medium of expression, and games themselves haven't changed much either. One can hardly say the same of television or film. Give it another few decades and we'll see where the ESRB stands on "consistency".

 

[bigdaddy]

The BBFC were trying to get their hands on legally having to rate video games over here in the UK recently, in the end ELSPA (The European equivalent to ESRB) won out, but now their ratings are legally binding and colour coded to make it easier for idiots to know what 3+ 7+ 12+ 16+ 18+ means.

The idiots in the USA don't give a fuck what the ratings are. The parents will buy GTA for 9 year olds and then go "I never knew he would blow the town up".

 

[Alidar Jarok]

ESRB has the better ratings system, but I imagine film is more entrenched. My guess is either nothing will happen or we'll get a worse rating system for video games because of this.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

In theory, I am okay with a universal rating system, as long as it is not universally enforced.

Broadcast TV, go ahead, enforce the hell out of it. Keep nipples off'a prime time if that's what you want. It's over-the-air, definitely the FCC's jurisdiction.

Video games and movies, though? A unified rating system should be there for convenience, nothing more. The FCC has no business deciding who gets to see what movie or buy which video game.

That said, I don't see what's so hard to figure out about ESRB, although I always liked RSAC better (with its little bomb icon.)

 

[Sephiroth]

man, the balls on the FCC trying to do this