In Wake of Universal’s Decision to Pull The Hunt, PTC Questions ‘Misguided Thinking’ That Led to Film Ever Being Produced

The Parents Television Council issued the following statement regarding Universal Pictures’ decision to pull The Hunt from release. “While we are glad Universal Pictures made a responsible decision to pull The Hunt from theatrical release, we can only wonder what misguided thinking led to the film ever getting produced, or even getting a green light by studio executives. While we understand and appreciate that our cherished First Amendment guarantees the right to create a film like this, how could the studio ever think it was the right thing to do?” said PTC President Tim Winter. “When there is an issue Hollywood cares deeply about, it celebrates its ability to impact our culture through the media. Yet the industry continues to turn a blind eye to the negative impact it can also impart, especially on children. The International Society for Research on Aggression (ISRA) – and scientists around the world – have concluded that media violence is among the contributing environmental factors for youth violence; and it is among the factors that should be easiest for us to control. “Instead of asking the public to be entertained by human slaughter, we call on Universal to take the lead in Hollywood and commit to developing positive entertainment that encourages people across the nation and around the world to eschew such violence.”