News

British tabloid and BBC "completely fabricate" anti-videogame story
Posted: 31.01.2012 06:03 by JonahFalcon Comments: 12
British tabloid The Daily Mail and the BBC have apparently invented anti-videogame quotes by a prominent children's charity director. Robert Hart-Fletcher of the Kids and Media charity is accusing both news sources of outright fabricating statements he allegedly made in an interview.

Hart-Fletcher, according to The Daily Mail and BBC, told them, "Gaming is a phenomenon that's been around quite a while. Now we are starting to see the effects in behaviour of young people.

"In the past people had genuine relationships with empathy and compassion which has been replaced by this virtual relationship where they are not necessarily having to show empathy or compassion. That's starting perhaps to change the way they interact on a day to day basis."

The Daily Mail ran with the story, with a provocative headline reading, "'Stoned With Tiredness: Generation of children are becoming zombies because of late-night gaming sessions, claims charity." The BBC's article trumpeted, "Devon youngsters 'stoned' after gaming."

However, Hart-Fletcher denies he ever uttered those words, with an MP3 file as his proof. "Our stance is that gaming, being in constant contact with friends and playing with other gamers around the world, is good for most kids most of the time," Mr. Hart-Fletcher told videogame news site BeefJack in a followup interview. "While people can over-use games or smartphones, they can over-use anything - and that's no reflection of the value of the activity."

While the BBC has since altered its story in response with the disclaimer, "This story has been amended to make clear that comments initially attributed to another source were actually made by Paul Bowser", The Daily Mail's story remains unchanged. Considering the tabloid's history, it's unlikely to do so.
Source: CVG

Comments

By Ridgy (SI Core Member) on Jan 31, 2012
Ridgy
Back in the day, the Mirror was a very respecta...Oh wait no it never was. Shame on the BEEB though.
By SiyaenSokol (SI Elite) on Jan 31, 2012
SiyaenSokol
Well... I have to agree with one thing, and that is the younger generation has become like zombies playing late night most nights.

I too am a victim of this, but I have come to realise how much I am losing, so I am slowly moving out of it.

However... this is where parental guidance also come in. My parents would take my PC away if they felt I was spending too much time on it (the red eyes were the proof). I believe that parents should just have some rules (as terrible as it sounds), and also spend time with their children.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Jan 31, 2012
JonahFalcon
I stayed up watching TV when I was young.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jan 31, 2012
nocutius
Tabloids usually lie to sell, nothing really new here, BBC was supposed to be respectable though.
By Chosen_One (SI Elite) on Jan 31, 2012
Chosen_One
Yeah some of us addicted to gaming, but it is better than to be addicted to drugs, alcohol and such, every man have addictions to something.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Jan 31, 2012
FoolWolf
I thought it was a common knowledge that you can't trust tabloids - especially English ones... I mean the entire British comedy has to make the standard - tabloids are rubbish sooner or later ;)
By Xyfer117 (SI Core) on Jan 31, 2012
Xyfer117
Yeah all tabloids are liars, and when my mum used to shout at me for playing on games all night my exact come back was "at least I'm not hanging round on street corners drinking and doing drugs!"
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Feb 01, 2012
herodotus
I was on "STO" the other day for a half hour to do some housekeeping and in the chatbox some guys were talking about how long they'd been on and what time it was in their country. I followed it, as they were guys in their late twenties and thirties and the average at the end was 9 hours.
Gaming Addiction is a recognised problem, but everything else mentioned in the article can be attached to any hobby or pastime. I used to read books all night as a teenager.
By SiyaenSokol (SI Elite) on Feb 01, 2012
SiyaenSokol
You are correct herodotus, but it all comes down to this: "Know your limits". I am a addicted gamer, but I do know that others things are important as well. So lately, I only get chance at around 18:00pm and sometimes 21:00pm. Weekends is my gaming time xD

But I have to agree. It is better to do gaming, than doing drugs, and drinking while driving. Also, a lot of gamers are actually intellectuals. Most love to read, discover new things, or attend to things the average don't attend to. Also, a lot can be quite creative as well.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Feb 01, 2012
herodotus
With true Gaming Addiction you see actual physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms in the individual. I've admitted two gamers into a Detox facility over the last couple of years and they really are in a dreadful state. It's very similar to Gambling Addiction, yet the withdrawals have a manifestly more serious psychological component - incredibly burst of anger. Sedation and rest for the first week, and then a prolonged course of counselling to follow. If you were truly addicted, Vet you wouldn't even be here:)
All jokes aside, it is quite dreadful to watch someone go through these withdrawals, and it's not safe for their families if done at home. The violence, you see.
By noobst3R (SI Core) on Feb 02, 2012
noobst3R
Typical "sensational" bullshit to sell more newspapers I guess.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Feb 02, 2012
herodotus
Succinct as always, Admiral.