Does Kuwait Need Censored Video Games?

Knight Ridder/Tribune

Do you think Kuwait needs to enforce laws to censor video games? The subject was recently brought to the fore by some readers recently. Both expats and Kuwaitis had sent me emails referring to the same topic. Not all are in favor of censorship. These days, Kuwait has been debating over the issue of censorship. Before we jump to conclusions and focus only on aspect of the story, which is on video games. We need to question whether laws related to censorship have been passed in this country.

In fact, several laws exist. However, they have not been effectively implemented. I believe similar laws have been passed in the field of media. Business owners should make profits by following ethical practices. These serve as societal 'laws' that cannot be controlled, not even by the government. This is why laws have been put in place so that the boundaries set by them prevent their transgression. This is applicable to the videogame issue as well.

Kuwait does not have to enact more laws. We only need to ensure that the existing ones serve us in the best possible manner. Intellectual freedom should be respected, not because it is a mere rule. It is a concept that should be accorded it due relevance owing to the fact that it helps foster the growth of creative liberty.

I like playing video games. To me it is just another normal technological innovation like a TV or a computer. We often feel that what our children today are being robbed of their childhood experiences thanks to their addiction to electronic gadgets. During my childhood, a black and white TV was considered a blessing. It was the only source of electronic entertainment that we have. Censorship was not even a topic for discussion back then.

Maybe we should stop thinking and talking about situations that are perceived through our own myopic eyes. Times have changed. Parents need to catch up and change their views. Does this mean that we should let our children play just about any video game? Of course, not. Parents can accompany their children while shopping for video games instead of sending them with their young friends or drivers. Parents are responsible for monitoring the content of what their children watch and play with.

Why do we need the government or public bodies like the Ministry of information to think and act on behalf of our kids? Conservative groups will use this situation as the right opportunity to exercise more control over people's choices and freedom.

Sadly, I have been observing that many are in favor of imposing censorship over the media in Kuwait. It is not about who wants to implement it. The question is why. Imposing any form of censorship would serve as the ideal breeding ground to spread small-minded ideas and control people's mind; which results in their constitutional rights being taken away. To those who advocate censorship, all I can say is that we need to solve more pressing issues like corruption that have pervaded into our lives.

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Copyright 2012 by Knight Ridder/Tribune