Michael Atkinson is What Happens When the Jack Thompsons of the World Get Real Power

[ October 30th, 2008 @ 1:09 am ] ... [ C. S. Magor ]

Michael Atkinson is What Happens When the Jack Thompsons of the World Get Real Power

Make no mistake people, the smiling, nerdy looking man in the photograph above is not your friend, not by a long shot. Jack Thompson could not hold a candle to this man, Michael Atkinson, the Attorney General of South Australia.

Michael Atkinson is a strong proponent of Internet censorship, in fact the level of restriction that he hopes to place on the Internet in Australia is up there with such fine examples of democracy as Iran (from which key details like the slow-down effect that filtration would have on broadband speeds, were hidden from the Australian public). What’s more, he has a nasty habit of suppressing information. By his intervention, a discussion paper relating to the establishment of an R18+ rating for video games in Australia was not made public. Of all of the Attorneys General, he is the only one who stands in the way.

Despite the fact that over 90 per cent of Australian adults (including non-gamers) agree to an R18+ rating, Michael Atkinson continues to censor debate on the issue. His views it seems will not budge.

In his own words:

Games may pose a far greater problem than other media - particularly films - because their interactive nature could exacerbate their impact. The risk of interactivity on players of computer games with highly violent content is increased aggressive behaviour.

As any change to the censorship regime must be unanimously agreed upon by all Attorneys General, it seems highly unlikely that Michael Atkinson will alter seemingly fundamentalist religious viewpoint and no changes will be made to the video games rating system. Something is rotten in the state of South Australia and the stench will remain until this crackpot is driven from office. [Sydney Morning Herald]

For the latest info on the coolest gadgets, emerging technology and wired madness, subscribe to our full news feed or have it delivered to your inbox. Always free. Always unique. Thanks for visiting!