T will no longer display advertisements for violent video games
The MBTA will no longer display advertisements for video games that are
meant for adults after a citizens group complained about posters for a
game that encourages players to steal, murder and have sex with
prostitutes, a top official said Tuesday.
The
Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood had demanded advertisements
for "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories" be pulled off the subways.
In
a letter dated Monday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's
General Manager Daniel Grabauskas told the group that the MBTA's board
had approved a ban on ads for games rated suitable only for persons 17
or older.
"We are thrilled that the MBTA has been so responsive
to community concerns," said Susan Linn, co-founder of the Campaign for
a Commercial-Free Childhood. "The children of Boston can now ride the
MBTA without being targets for advertising that glorifies violence.
Linn
added that the decision "sends a strong message to the videogame
industry that public property cannot be used to promote violence to
children. We hope that other cities will follow suit."
A media
watchdog group, The National Institute on Media and the Family, has
listed "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories" among 10 games parents
shouldn't buy for their kids this holiday season, citing its violent
content.
The Associated Press
December 12, 2006
Source:
Daily Comet