'Wright Stuff' defends gaming violence report

Channel 5 has responded to a complaint against a video games report on topical magazine show The Wright Stuff.

Pressure group Gamers' Voice contacted the broadcaster after the show suggested that first-person shooters were linked to an increase in violent crime, saying that it used "uninformed statements and sensationalist representation" as part of its coverage.

One example linking video games and crime was a recent South London shooting by 22-year old Leon Dunkley. The report, titled 'Do Shoot-em-up Games Lead To Real Violence?', was broadcast on April 14.

"We always make every effort to ensure that discussions on controversial subjects are fair and balanced, and I am happy that we did so on this occasion," said the show's editor Caroline Davis..

"We are, however, an open access current affairs discussion programme and are strongly committed to fostering robust debate and the expression of strongly held opinions. We are the only such programme on British television."

Gamers' Voice also said that Modern Warfare 2 footage used in the report, which saw players shoot innocent bystanders in an airport, was unsuitable for daytime viewing.

"It was essential to use a short clip to illustrate the discussion; many of our viewers are not gamers and it may have been meaningless to them otherwise," responded Davis. "It was editorially necessary, but very short, and as you point out, a game image rather than real violence."

Gamers' Voice commended The Wright Stuff for responding to their complaints, and is currently waiting for a response from Ofcom regarding the game footage used on the show.

"Overall we are pleased that Channel 5 have taken our complaint seriously and have performed this review," said chairman Paul Gibson.

"Even though they do not acknowledge any wrongdoing, we hope that our action will cause the broadcasters and the presenters to carefully consider their statements and subject matter in the future."

Formed in late 2009, Gamers' Voice was founded by Tom Watson MP to respond to uninformed attacks on video games by politicians and the media.

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