RTD weighs parents' pleas to ban violent video game ads
Daily Camera
Published March 19, 2007 at midnight
The Regional Transportation District is considering a request from parents of teens to ban violent video game ads on buses and trains.
"Our public-transportation network serves more than half the residents of Colorado and is doing them a disservice with its tacit approval for the dangerous content in the mature-rated video games that are advertised throughout the system," George Robison, chapter director of the Parents Television Council, told board members at their February meeting.
The complaints began last fall when RTD vehicles carried ads for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, which glorifies gang life, the murder of police officers and violence against women.
Critics say the games spawn violence. The industry and game players say opponents exaggerate their effects.
The RTD board probably will consider limits at its March 27 meeting, spokesman Scott Reed said. An RTD committee voted last week to recommend that the board reject ads for games rated unsuitable for children younger than 17.
Current standards prohibit deceptive, illegal or obscene material, require ads to be "of a reputable character," and ban ads for tobacco products.
The parents' council wants to ban ads rated "M" for mature or "AO" for adults only.
John Tayer, Boulder's RTD representative, said he is worried there could be legal challenges.
"RTD has some very serious and important issues that it needs to focus on," Tayer said. "While we need to pay attention to these types of issues, I'd rather see our resources, time and energy focused on implementing FasTracks and addressing other priority transit issues."
Lisa Larsen, 46, of Boulder, said she doesn't want her 13-year-old daughter, Bella, exposed to violent ads that she can't screen.
"She needs to ride the bus," Larsen said. "But I can't be there to monitor what she's exposed to."
Leila Alhamoodah, 16, said no ad is going to sway her opinion of video games or cause her to make a purchase.
"A simple photo on a bus doesn't cause that sort of thing," she said.
RTD spokeswoman Daria Serna said advertising is the organization's third-largest source of revenue.
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