Forum - View topicAnime affected by Report?
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Gage
Posts: 480 Location: United States |
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-- I saw the news at ANS first and I thought I would attempt at writing an opinionated article / topic about it.--
Well I was surfing the web for anime news to write in my collection and I arrived at Yahoo News article reported that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) was urging Congress pass a law which is aimed at limiting violence airing on television, anime included? Anyone can think that anime will be affected because we know that there are a number of violent titles around the American and Japanese market. Here's a snippet from FCC Chairman Kevin Martin: In general, what the commission's report says is that there is strong evidence that shows violent media can have an impact on children's behavior and there are some things that can be done about it, But does it really? Not necessarily does whatever you see on television causing some sort of incident involving children / teenagers. Well okay, look, with the execution of Saddam Hussein at the end of December an 8 year old actually hung himself because he was watching the execution on the Internet many times but still, that was a mistake and the video showing the whole event was never intended on being released. Causes for violence can come in any form other than just television scenes and video games; it's what the 21st Century seems to revolve around the most. -- It's just entertainment! My Opinion on a Possible Anime Affection No, I'm not saying that anime projects are guaranteed to be affected and to be honest there is no confirmation on if this “law” will be passed. But what I'm saying is that there really is no need to take it this far. Just something for people to bark at in my book because, as you know, anime has been around since the early 20th Century and you never heard a lot of people complaining until now. Everyone is so quick to point fingers at something when they do not take the time to study or look deep down into one's life. Maybe the kid was disturbed? Doesn't mean he got the idea from television shows or games. There are many ways that this can be solved (if you consider it a problem) without taking out shows people enjoy and airing them at later times. ONE - Parents Take Control Take a stand, parents. I'm only a teenager but I know from experience that parents can easily limit the access to shows which they do not feel comfortable with their sons or daughters watching. What you do is simply turn the channel, take the remote away, and give the kid a lecture. Solved.... for the time being. TWO - Sit, Talk, and Persuade Mother or Father could always urge the kid to watch some other show (depending on their age) or just watch a family sort of film. Something more suitable, you know? Overall, in conclusion, could this affect anime? Highly unlikely. In North America anime fans enjoy the Adult Swim anime block which airs weekdays on Cartoon Network. Not to mention the anime producers / distributors need to make a deal first about the issue which I don't see coming anytime soon. Take the time to think that we're talking about children, not 15-20 year olds but that STILL raises talk concerning teens. Anime does not always have to be about the fighting etc, some works are age suitable. Take Walt Disney films for example such as Aladdin or Tarzan, something entertaining and relaxed. No matter what the child can have exposure to animation but there's no need to go all out banning shows or re-scheduling when the solution can be found within the family itself and not Congress. Agree? Let's make a good discussion out of this, if we can. |
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Cuprin
Posts: 63 Location: Sacramento - Life stinks |
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One thing to remember is that FCC regulates broadcast and, to a limited extent, cable outlets. Shows like 24 are likely targets. But while more and more anime IS making it to the airwaves, the bulk is still on non-broadcast mediums (DVD, VHS, Downloads). So for the bulk of the issue, it shouldn't affect the Anime industry one way or another.
That being said, the idea that the morons in the government can come up with acceptable "standards", and get them implemented, is going to be an uphill battle for a several reasons. First of all, while they've regulated sex out of the broadcast realm (Don't show X, don't say Y), violence is a far more subjective field. What are they going to say, ok you can shoot someone, you can't actually see anyone getting shot, and no blood (you know, the American cartoon version). Secondly, trying to implement the standards is going to bring the first amendment lawyers out of the woodwork. It'll be tied up in courts for decades before it gets straightened out. But finally, and most important, the Political types won't ever DO anything about it in the first place. This is a great issue for them, they can rail up and down about how something needs to be done NOW to protect the children, but I'd bet that legislation dosen't ever get to peliminary votes in either house or senate. Even with the Iraq war, they don't have the guts to do anything 'binding" one way or another. Also, some of the later stories indicate that it will be another two years before the FCC even comes up with recomendations to send to the lawmakers for consideration. |
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Wolf X
Posts: 93 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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I guess my biggest consern is the fact that everyone tries to blame something and fix a problem that may not even exsist. If there is a problem it isn't with the broadcasting company but parents in the US.
Gage wrote:
This is a step in the right direction, however, to assume that television and the media is the primary source of under age violence is a serious miscalculation. To use it as an example, in many countries in Europe there are television channels that will show execution videos from the middle east. I have seen several of these and they are some of the most distrubing images in the world but they still don't cause kids there to freak out and shoot someone in their school. The simple truth is that in the United States there is a lack of parenting and the parents rely on the failing educational system to take their role. However, the schools hands are often times tied by the law and rely on the parents to handle their kids. No one wants to take responsiblity for a situation they caused themselves. |
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Azathrael
 Posts: 745 |
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Violence does impact children's behavior and there is no counterargument. Whether TV is a "major" source is irrelevant; there needs to be a reduction of violence in TV as long as it is a contributor. Coming from someone who's technically a foreigner to the United States, the amount of violence disgusts me to the point of not having watched a single violence-oriented TV show and very few Hollywood violence-oriented movies. It's just disgusting and I'm surprised Americans find it "exciting" or "entertaining" at all.
I believe that the US will do anything to protect its capitalist interests because Americans have grown with that kind of attitude dyed into their bones, much like the Japanese saying "itadakimasu" before every meal. Of course people are going to solely focus on parents to save their favorite TV shows that are fun and exciting exactly because it's excessively violent. Besides, I'm sure most of you have the qualifications to talk about parents when you're not one yourself. Parenthood isn't something that's quantified and judged by someone who has no experience of it whatsoever. In comparison, violence in anime looks like cute bunnies wearing Santa hats. |
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Daemonblue
 Posts: 701 |
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Azathareal is completely right when saying violence impacts a child's behaviour, just looking at my cousins proves that. The main problem I see around here is that with all these new laws even the parent's hands are being tied. The law is basically saying you can't physically discipline your children anymore or they can arrest you or take your child because of child abuse, even letting your child get overweight and not being able to change their diet to something better can be considered child abuse now. Some parents want to discipline their children, but they can't anymore because of these child protection laws. That's where most of this stems from, a bunch of undisciplined people who don't know better. If you reach for a cookie and your mother slaps your hand and tells you "No!," would you reach in again? Chances are you'd either be defiant and get a harsher punishment, or not do it, but if your parents were lenient and said "Ok, but just one," what does that imply? Parents have to teach their kids what's wrong and what's not, and I say if their kids won't listen the parents should have the right to beat em with a razor strap, pain teaches people not to do things. I may be only 18, but I'm darn glad my dad beat the crud outta my back end when I did something wrong (and was caught
 ), yet still let me do what I wanted. If he would've spoiled me when I was younger I'd probably be just as rotten as some of these other kids out here.
And you're all probably wondering what this has to deal with the conversation, since I did kid of veer off :O Basically, it's in the parent's hands to tell their kids that violence may look cool on the television, but in real life it's a no no, and don't start fights, end them. The problem is, mentioned above, the government is saying parent's can't physically discipline their kids, basically saying you can only use words and not actions to tell them what they're doing is wrong. I don't know about you out there, but from what I've seen words have little to no effect, but a nice leather belt does. |
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hentai4me
 Posts: 1313 Location: England. Robin is so Cute! |
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I agree with Daemonblue...to a degree, using something like a belt is perhaps a tad too far, over here the generally accepted punishment for a long while (certainly while I was growing up) was an open handed smack to the bottom or perhaps if two children are fighting to clash heads together.
It hurts but is not going to leave any kind of lasting damage (it stings or aches but thats about it). You can watch your violence but try it yourself and you'll get hurt, the only way to really understand violence is to experience it...so give em a bit of light violence. though now it's illegal to do it over here as well...even Blair wants that law rescinded... what i think is funny is that with the implementation of these kinds of laws the number of parenting programmes (even to the extent of celebrity baby sitters!) has skyrocketed, at least over here. |
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ivorymoose
 Posts: 240 |
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A parent once told me:
"I want my children to be exposed to different types of literature and media. My success as a parent comes when they can watch or read something and then decide for themselves what's right and wrong. This is my job as a parent. Shielding my kids from literature and media because certain churches or groups of experts deem these material to be unsuitable for children is not right." Many years ago, he made this statement when he saw that I have been banned from my previous church since teenager to watch and read certain literature including anime. At that time, I argued to ban Harry Porter, Anime and other harmful media to children and teenagers in church. However, the pastors and parents of that new church I was with corrected my thinking and now I know they are right. Yes, you do need to have kids in order to talk about parenting. Parents know best. My parents never stopped me from watching Japanese anime when I was a kid, my mum was surrportive with my fanatism over Candy Candy, it was the church that banned anime, the so called "experts". I've heard it all, the reasons how anime is occultic, demonic, violent, glorify suicide and promotes violence. I just love Rumiko Takahashi using the word "Demon" in Inuyasha with a different meaning. The movies coming out of Hollywood and Hong Kong are more violent than animated shows. There is no way to stop this because like what many of you mentioned, it's all in the money. The audience love it and they pay money to watch it. I'm sure the US government can do nothing about this. Even if a strict law is passed to curtail violence and impose cersorship, there is always the black market and bootlegs. These movies will still get circulated. The more you control somthing, the more popular it becomes. |
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Kouji
 Posts: 978 |
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I seriously doubt this new law will have an affect on anime any. This law isn't limiting violence on TV but rather it's limiting the time slots that they can air on. To quote CNN.com, "The long-overdue report suggests Congress could craft a law that would let the agency regulate violent programming much like it regulates sexual content and profanity -- by barring it from being aired during hours when children may be watching." Most violent anime that's aired on American TV is usually already aired in the late night time slots on Adult Swim anyway, so it's not like it falls during the hours when children could be watching it. The only thing I could see this possibly having an affect on anime is that it might force Naruto to move to a later time slot, but I doubt this is going to affect anime past that. But maybe there could be some good in this in that it might lead to Adult Swim eventually becoming its own 24/7 channel to keep violent programming as far as possible from children as they can if it does get enough complaints. Still, I don't think this is going to affect much since most violent anime is aired outside of prime time slots anyway and I personally think people are over-reacting to this new law. It's not banning violence from TV. It's just pushing violent TV shows to a later time slot which TV networks already do to some extent, anyway. The only thing I'm concerned about is how this will affect violence on the news which I think is a far more important concern than "OMG, there's no blood in this cartoon!"
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Gage
Posts: 480 Location: United States |
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Violence and gore is what most anime fans like; makes the show interesting. If it happened then companies would be crawling for money.
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Ryvius213
Posts: 291 |
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Like Kouji said, more than likely this will only affect anime like Naruto, which are aimed at children, but are more violent than the norm. Also, the U.S. government has their hands tied up right now, so odds are they won't pay too much attention to the FCC's request.(unless Hillary Clinton becomes president after the next election...)
Anime on Adult Swim air late at night for a reason. If parents actually let their children get away with watching something like Paranoia Agent at midnight, then it's their own fault for not turning off the TV on their kids. I think even the FCC understands this. @ ivorymoose: I couldn't agree any more with that quote. Trying to hide too much from children will only make it harder for them to learn about certain things when they get older. Also, the parents should not use the TV to raise their child. If they see their child watching something they don't like, they should talk to their child and explain why using violence is wrong. Forcing the government to protect your child from TV violence for you is just plain apathy. |
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LydiaDianne
 Posts: 5634 Location: Southern California |
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If we get it, why can't the idiots squalling for more government intervention get it? As has been said before on this forum and all over print, internet, cable and regular TV..."There is an OFF button on your TV!" |
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Cuprin
Posts: 63 Location: Sacramento - Life stinks |
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I can't agree with that. Sure I watch some (moderately) violent anime, but the blood and gore ones turn me off period. If that was what "most" anime fans were looking for, you'd never get titles Azumanga D. I had this argument with someone on a video game forum about a month ago - his opinion was a game today HAD to have gore, and the more the better. That's just wrong. There are games I DON'T buy because of the gore factor. Do I feel left out? Nope, lots of other choices. Geez sorry for that, I went off the original topic a ways, but felt it needed to be said. |
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hentai4me
Posts: 1313 Location: England. Robin is so Cute! |
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[quote="Cuprin"]
While I'll admit to enjoying violence as entertainment I don't particularly enjoy it when the entertainment is more on the infliction of injury rather than proving superior ability. For example i really hate boxers who aim to win through cutting an opponent and then working that cut as much as possible to get the fight called off due to that. Instead the fighter who lands the most blows, who has the greatest accuracy, targets the right areas and works both the ring and his opponent well (scoring on the cards essentially) is what it should be about. When playing games I like to play the 'Total War' series, plenty of violence but no gore, and I think you'll find the Total War series is one of the most successful in its genre so clearly gore is not a factor...violence is, gore isn't. Films like 'Saw' are absurd though...how can that be enjoyable? Higurashi was enjoyable because no one actually gets hurt or could ever be taken as a real person getting hurt...but 'Saw'? |
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Asako
 Posts: 751 Location: Hawaii |
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In school, kids are starting to be taught at a young age that if their parents hit them, call the police. I believe this is in elementary school. The problem with it is that a child may not know the difference between discipline and abuse.
So there's a family that I know that had a problem one night. An 8th grader girl wanted to go out after 10pm at night to go partying but her father told her no. She threatened to call the police and tell them her father was abusing her. He said "go ahead" because once you let up on that kind of threat, kids will use it all the time. She called the police on him and they took him away, made him go to anger management classes and took his daughter away. There is something wrong with that picture. Just a month ago my co-worker was threatened by her 5th grader son that he would call the police on her if she didn't let him do something. She said "If you want to call the police? Let me give you a reason to call them" and gave him a good spanking. He was crying but said to her that he was sorry. Obviously the measures to have kids call the police were made to protect children who are abused but how can they tell the kids to call the police on something that might be disciplinary? And kids may be using what is taught as a threat to their parent's livelihood. I know this is sounding off topic but I'm connecting it to the main point of this thread. I believe that only talking to the kids is the wrong way to go. Kids don't usually understand everything you say to them. They'll understand later in life why you gave them a spanking for something. But doing things like "call the police if they hit you" is for those exceptions out there. For kids that really do get hurt. So if they're thinking that screening the media once more to make it all fluffy pillows just for the exception of a couple of stupid kids and let everyone else suffer for it, I wouldn't be surprised if this is doing more harm than good. Truthfully, the violence in media deal has been reported so many times and little has been done about it. I mean, if there's only a handful of people who kill themselves because of what they've watched on TV or played a video game it doesn't give enough reason to make the rest of society suffer. It's funny how we've turned into a country that starts to blame society versus blaming the individual. Two people can grow up in the same neighborhood and still turn out differently. The choices we make determine what we'll ultimately become. The child made a choice to kill himself because of watching a video. I say Darwinisn. 
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SalarymanJoe
 Posts: 468 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA |
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My initial knee-jerk reaction: What business is it of the government's?
But, whenever 'government intervention' is mentioned on any issue, thats always my knee-jerk reaction. The FCC was designed to protect property rights of stations who owned the channels of communication - and in my not so humble opinion, that's what they should be doing, if they should even exist at all. Their role, like much of the Federal government, has grown out of Constitutional boundaries. As has been mentioned, much of anime isn't broadcast here in the States and what is broadcast is either reduced to child friendly standards or played late at night. I see little to no rammifications on the anime industry with this legislation. Most of the reactions it's getting here doesn't much surprise me - individuals know what's best for them and their families, yet this report pushing for more government intervention into the private sector shows that either government is out of touch or that there is an overwhelming desire for more government. I personally think its both. Many parents try and shuffle their responsibilities to someone else. Someone mentioned schools above and I think that's where a lot of it goes, too. I mean, schools are supposed to educate you in language, math, and life, right? Why not right and wrong sexual or violent behaviors, too? It's a decent theory, if the educational system wasn't as broken as it is, being government monopolies and all. Look around the news and you'll see people wanting to govenrment to take control of tons of things - insurance, healthcare, pensions, wages. It sounds like I'm preaching a slippery slope here, but really think about it - if you want govenrment to provide your healthcare, your pensions, your insurance, wages, then what's the matter if they want to regulate how not-violent or not-sexual your television content is? Drew "Suiko" Sutton http://akibaren.blogspot.com |
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