14 DAY TRIAL // A few days ago, we talked about a Republican Congressman who wanted to add warning labels to videogames, telling potential buyers that there was a significant link between violent titles and increased aggressiveness in individuals. It doesn't matter that there's little real evidence for that link and that any measure singling out videogames amongst other forms of media is pretty much against the free speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
Now, another politician from New York is aiming to prohibit the sale of those videogames that contain and promote negative racial stereotypes or hate against any group of individuals. The measure has been submitted to the New York State Assembly by its creator, Democrat Keith L.T. Wright, and is being examined by the Assembly's Consumer Protection and Affairs Committee.
The justification reads that “Video games containing purely adult images, situations, and scenarios are far too readily available to children who often purchase these games without any resistance from sellers. The bill would take a step towards preventing our children from being influenced by the glamorization of violence portrayed in such video games.”
It's not clear what the bill would protect those under 18 from. After all, racial stereotypes, which can be sometimes easily found in videogames, are present in all other forms of media, from novels to television. The worst that can happen to some right wing radio personality that attacks certain racial groups is that he gets fired or is fined. There's no prohibition going on for other forms of media so there should be no prohibition for videogames.
If it comes to a vote and passes, the new bill is likely to be struck down by the Supreme Court, which has repeatedly said that placing any kind of limits on free speech in the name of political correctness is not really acceptable.