PTC Praises Sen. Sam Brownback for Reintroducing Video Game Rating Bill

LOS ANGELES (February 20, 2007) – The Parents Television Council™ praised Senator Sam Brownback for reintroducing the Truth in Video Game Rating Act (S. 568) that would help correct the current video game ratings system.

"The Parents Television Council sides with Senator Brownback on this issue. There is a clear conflict of interest that arises when a video game's producers and distributors submit segments of their choice to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board for review. Clearly, the ratings based on these hand selected clips are often an inaccurate representation of the full playable content," said Tim Winter, president of the PTC™.

"The passage of a bill that would require those assigning the video game ratings to review the entire content of each game is long overdue. Video game distributors should no longer be able to skew ratings in their favor by concealing the material they do not want reviewed.

"Furthermore, the PTC applauds Senator Brownback for adding language in the bill to commission a Government Accountability Office study to evaluate the current video game rating system, look into instating an independent rating system that is not controlled by financial stakeholders, and consider the application of a universal ratings system to television, moves and video games.

"We are grateful that Senator Brownback recognizes the danger of marketing violent and sexually graphic video games to minors under inaccurate ratings. The PTC urges Congress to support this bill and enact meaningful legislation to remedy similar discrepancies in the television ratings system," Winter concluded.

To schedule an interview with a PTC representative, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.

The Parents Television Council™ (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has over one million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.