Freedom of expression refers to the right to express opinions and ideas freely through writing, speech and other channels of communication without causing harm deliberately to the reputation and character of others through misleading or false statements (Kolesnikov, 2003, p.21). On the other hand, a video game is an electronic game that the user plays by manipulating images that a computer program produces on a display screen (Perez Latorrne, 2015, p.416). The paper concentrates on the freedom of expression regarding violent video games.
Over the past few years, video games that involve virtual violence have emerged with some creating a large moral scandal than the rest and considered violent. Grand Theft Auto is an example of such games. First released in 1997 by DMA Design, now referred to as Rockstar North, the game has explicit pictures of violence such as hitting pedestrians, hijacking, seeking prostitutes, and bank burglary among others (CVG_UK, 2008). Grand Theft Auto is thought to be one of the most contentious video games ever created because of the inherent violence in the themes and the perceived reality effect on the players. The nature of the game is an open adventure that lets the players control the game character by carrying out absurd activities that require killing, stealing, or hurting to advance to the next mission. A majority of the actions carried out in the game would have people sentenced to life imprisonment, get reprimanded or held captive if they did them in real life (Perez Latorrne, 2015, p. 424). Ironically, the game gives players high scores and points for carrying out those acts. Some studies have concluded that violent video games lead to an increase in aggressive behavior, thoughts and a decrease in helpful behavior for a short period (Kirsh, 2003, p.382).
Rockstar North has an experienced development team that develops the Grand Theft Auto series from scratch. The development team uses motion capture to record the body and facial movements of the characters. The company markets the game through press demonstrations and video trailers to ensure that the market is ready for the game after release (CVG_UK, 2008). Several retail outlets help the company in circulating the game to potential players.
Over the years, governments and those in authority have seen the need to restrict violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto. The reason behind the move is that there is a link between the violence witnessed in computer games and the growing trend of antisocial behavior in the society (Kirsh, 2003, p. 385). For example, in 2005 the gaming industry experienced pressure from critics because of titles such as Grand Theft Auto. The critics felt the game was unsuitable for minors, a move that saw the game receive an adult only rating and dropped from retailers from around the United States (Kolesnikov, 2003, p. 22). Furthermore, during the period, the State of Illinois voted to have legislation to ban the circulation of sexually explicit or violent video games to children (J, 2016, p. 4). According to the legislation, retailers who sold adult games to minors knowingly risked a fine of $1,000 (Kolesnikov, 2003, p. 22).
Over the years, there have been debates of whether violent video games should be restricted. In 2010, the Parents Television Council and the Entertainment Software Association held a debate on violent video games. A representative of the Parents Television Council supported the ban on renting or selling violent video games to minors while the representative did not support the move. A majority of those who joined the debate felt that it is the parents who had the responsibility of protecting their children from violent video games and not the company (U. S. News, 2010). They felt that banning the children from playing the games will make them look for other ways of accessing the games and play them without their parents’ knowledge, and therefore, the parents should instead monitor their children when they are playing.
The moral reasons for restricting expression come from the harm principle, Van Mill’s freedom of speech, and legal paternalism. According to the harm principle, all broadcasting systems should be set up and controlled in a manner that encourages the production of desirable content (Van Mill, 1995, p. 451). The restriction is important because it limits or prevents harmful content from getting in the society (Van Mill, 1995, p. 453). Mill was one of the first people to present a liberal defense of free speech. Mill said that every doctrine should be allowed to exist no matter how immoral it may appear to other people (Scanlon, 2016, p. 210). However, he stressed the importance of rules to control the actions of others so as to prevent harm. On the other hand, legal paternalism upholds a principle that promotes state coercion to protect people from self-inflicted harm and in some cases guide them even against their will towards their personal good (Feinberg, 1971, p. 110). These reasons restrict expression for different moral reasons that people should always consider when it comes to violent video games like Grand Theft Auto. The moral reasons restrict GTA because it has undesirable content for adolescents. The authorities concerned should put in place rules that control who gets access to the game and who does not. The players should think of the violence in the games and how it affects their lives. Based on the moral reasons, banning GTA is the best decision because the players will no longer be exposed to violent and sexually explicit scenes.
According to studies, the subject of freedom of expression is usually believed to identify classes of protected acts that it considers to be immune from the restrictions that apply to other acts (Gomberg, 1994, p. 100). On strong versions of the subject, there are instances where are said to be immune from the restrictions despite them having harms that justify the imposition of legal sanctions (Scanlon, 2016, p. 215). Freedom of expression becomes an important subject because of such cases which sometimes make it appear irrational (Feinberg, 1971, p.108). Moreover, the acts that get protection form the subject of freedom of expression remains acts of expression (Scanlon, 2016, p.218). Acts of expression can be destructive and violent, making it difficult for people to maintain that they were immune from legal restrictions as a class (Kirsh, 2003, p. 384). The persecution for the expression of different opinions is logical because having doubt in personal power or premises makes the individual want to express his or her wishes in law and get rid of all the opposition (Feinberg, 1994, p. 116).
Over the years, different arguments have emerged regarding freedom of expression. For example, Scanlon formed an argument saying that a government with democratic legitimacy for autonomous citizens should not censor what they read and hear on the assumption that they might believe what they read or hear (Scanlon, 2016, p. 220). After a few years, Scanlon retracted the argument (Amdur, 1980, p. 292). However, there are those who believe that Scanlon’s original argument was correct. In most cases, autonomy dictates that expression be controlled using the grounds that Scanlon wanted to limit (Amdur, 1980, p. 284). Taking autonomy as self-governance means that the information that makes people self-governing also makes them more autonomous (Feinberg, 1991, p. 98). In his arguments, Scanlon also considered the Millian Principle which identified the harms that the government should not consider as reasons for creating legal restrictions on expression (Scanlon, 2016, p.)215. Moreover, he was of the view that autonomous citizens should never give the government the power to protect them from such harms (Amdur, 1980, p. 288). The argument seemed to push for self-regulation, and in the case of Grand Theft Auto, the parents would have the responsibility of monitoring their children as they play the game as identified above of the debate by the Parents Television Council and the Entertainment Software Association (U.S News, 2010).
Freedom of expression in regards to violent video games should be restricted. The restriction can happen in many ways such as introducing age restrictions and creating legislation to prevent the vendors from selling the video games to minors. Both the parents and the government should not let the children become the monsters that the violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto display.
In conclusion, Freedom of expression in regard to violent video games should be restricted. Over the past few years, video games that involve virtual violence have emerged with some creating a large moral scandal than the rest and considered violent. Grand Theft Auto is an example of such games. Debates have taken place regarding the issue and a majority of the people feels that regulation is important because it can prevent the children from becoming the monsters displayed in the violent video games. In his argument for freedom of expression, Scanlon was of the view that a government with democratic legitimacy for autonomous citizens should not censor what they read and hear on the assumption that they might believe what they read or hear. However, he later withdrew the statement and pushed for restriction.