Human Centipede II director angered by BBFC's 'stiff upper lip' | Guardian.co.uk

Follow the link to read an article including direct comments from Tom Six, about the BBFC's refusal to issue a certificate for Human Centipede II.

Seriously, the game is not the problem!

Teenager describes becoming addicted to playing computer games

Another fine example of the mainstream media presenting one point of view and ignoring the real reasons behind game addiction.

Why is a child playing an 18 certificated games when they are not emotionally ready?

And why have the parents not limed his access to and time spent on his games console?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if people are allowed to play highly intense and engaging games unabated for long periods of time then the effects are not likely to be good.

We Didn't Start The Fire

A2: BBC's Panorama gets it completely wrong!

Article from the Guardian about this evening's Panorama: Panorama discovers games addiction: did we really need to be told this?

Watch the episode here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00wlmj0/Panorama_Addicted_to_Games/

A2: Forum Discussion: WikiLeaks: A Modern Media Controversy

I have set up a discussion forum for you all to gather your thoughts, debate the issues and have a resource to return to in preparation for your exam.

Enter here!

A2: Australian Government adds Wikileaks to list of banned websites...

Short article about the Australian government's decision to add the website 'Wikileaks' to its list of banned websites!

http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/australian-government-adds-wikileaks-to-banned-website-list-585894#ixzz16e93gJ1F

I didn't even know they had a list of banned websites. Makes me ask the question: Does our government have a list of banned websites? Worth looking into me-thinks!

How do different countries compare on their regulation of the World Wide Web?
Who has the right to regulate it?
Is the WEB taking the place of Video Games in the age old argument over 'effects' and the impact on Media to do good/bad?
What are the implications of political websites like 'Wikileaks' being targeted in this way?

[Update] Wikileaks is banned in school. Should it be?

Get to work!
Mr. M.

A2: "Violent video games harmless for most kids"

Well timed article on the effects of video games on children.  Click on the 'MSNBC' logo to read the article. Perfect to keep the topic fresh as you prepare for your exam.


Don't forget that we have lesson tomorrow: 12:20 in Room 72.

A2: "The Armchair Assassin"

Click on the picture below for some some must read material on video games and violence, particularly the controversy surrounding 'Manhunt'.

A2: Google V China - The dispute continues...

Google have postponed the release of two "Android" mobile phones in China - see the BBC article here...and the Guardian's perspective here!

The question is: When and how will this dispute end? And what will the consequences be - for Google, it's employees in China, the Chinese public and the Chinese government?

A2: Only Google Could Leave China

Article from Wired Magazine reflecting on and putting into context Google's announcement to not censor the search results of "google.cn" and the likely-hood that they will be forced to abandon a market of "340 million users"!

A2: Essay Reminder...

...don't forget your response to the following essay question is due in on Monday 18th January:

"As a medium video games offer an inherently active and addictive experience.  Because of this games such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt 2 pose a more significant threat to society than films such as Natural Born Killers and Base-Moi" To what extent do you agree with this statement? 

Should you have any questions or need support feel free to e-mail me!

Mr. M.

A2: More on Google, China & Censorship!

Here are some links to articles and opinion pieces from The Guardian and The Independent newspapers about Google's decision to enter into a stand off with the Chinese authroities over the censorship of their search engine and apparent hacking of google e-mail accounts.

Internet Censorship in China 

How internet giant Google turned on gatekeepers of China's Great Firewall 

China Google cyberattack part of spying campaign: experts 

Google prompts soul-searching in China 

Google acted on censorship amid China dissident fears 

Defiant China web users back Google

[Update!] Google, Yahoo, Adobe and who?

While I like many find China's level of regulation and censorship wrong in the extreme it does bring the "Internet Regulation Debate" right to the forefront of the news and our collective thinking - can the Internet continue to exist in its current form unregulated?

A2: Porn star Ron Jeremy says violent video games are "worse" than porn!

Read the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8453043.stm

A2: Homework - Censorship & China & Google!

Reminder - tomorrow's double is the last lesson on Media Regulation & Censorship. You will be moving onto Media & Collective Identity with Mr Ford next week.

Please make sure you read the rest of "Electronic Child Abuse" by David Buckingham from the book: Ill Effect, BARKER et al, 2001

Then read / re-read the Google Blog Post here: "A new approach to China" and answer the following questions:

• What issues / moral implications are raised by China’s “Internet Firewall”?
• What do you think about the Google Blog Post: “A new approach to China”?
• What links can you make between this form of censorship and the forms of censorship we have encountered in the unit so far?
• How would you feel as a British citizen if our government imposed similar censorship upon us?

You could also look at the following website (thanks Sehb / Sophie!): "Great Firewall of China".

You also need to read "Video Games" from the book Censored, MATTHEWS, 1994

See you tomorrow and well done to those of you who made in today, inspite of the snow!

Mr. M.

A2 (Year 13 - That's You!): Snow Day Work!

As school is cancelled again here is some work for you:

1. If you did not see this on Wednesday - please read this Guardian Article and make notes.
2. Read this article from www.education.com and this article from NewScientist and this one from mediawatch-uk - make notes.  I'm trying to offer a little perspective from the anti-media side of the fence.
3. Listen to the "classifying video games" podcast from the SBBFC website.
4. Finally, prepare (DO NOT write the essay - I wish to give your last essay back first!) a response to the following question:

"As a medium video games offer an inherently active and addictive experience.  Because of this games such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt 2 pose a more significant threat to society than films such as Natural Born Killers and Base-Moi" To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Make notes; draw primary and secondary evidence together; try to incorporate a balance of material from the work we have done on both film and video games.

Your coursework deadlines have been updated and are available 2 posts down or just click here!  If you have any issues you can e-mail or tweet me @media_at_ccc!

Enjoy the snow!

Mr. M.

A2: Davina McCall: "Television is 'not good' for children"

Guardian Article - Wednesday 6th January 2010 - provides some interesting and related ideas about young peoples exposure to media.

Please read and make notes! - This is what we would have read / discussed in today's lesson, which is canceled due to the snow.

Mr. M.

AS | A2: Snow, Xmas & Deadlines!

Dear all, due to the snow, school is closed today (Friday 18th December).  Due to this fact you will not be able to take equipment away to film during the Christmas break.  Because of this, coursework deadlines for both AS and A2 students will be pushed back by 2 weeks.

Please focus on your blog and your exam units!

A2: Click here for work on Regulation & Censorship.

AS: Please get your blogs sorted!  Also, please make sure that you practice your analysis and note making skills - watch at least 2 openings and make detailed notes focussing on Camera, Editing, Sound & Mise-en-scene.  Then complete the practice task set here on the Long Road Media Studies: TV Drama Blog!

A2: Xmas Homework

Homework 1: Watch / Play a Film or Video Game and make notes analysing both the "surface reality" and "verisimilitude" of the text.

Homework 2: Read the articles in the previous post here: http://chalfontmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/12/a2-more-articles-about-video-game.html and make notes.

Homework 3: Make sure that your quote sheet is complete and fully referenced.

Have a very merry Christmas - Mr. M.

A2: More Articles About Video Game Regulation & Censorship

Here are 4 more useful articles about video games:

"Video games don't create killers..."

"Violent Video Games: Myths..." 

"Could violent video games reduce..."

"Kids unaffected by violent video games..."

Please read them over the Christmas Break do develop your understanding further!

Merry Xmas!

Mr. M.

A2: Media Regulation & Censorship

Two articles from today's news that should prove to be helpful!

guardian.co.uk: "Teach five-year-olds to beware of adverts..."

independent.co.uk: "Hollyoaks axes 'child killers' plot"