The Censor's Log
It's useful for the Classification Office to keep a look out for censorship-related news both from New Zealand and around the world. There are many thought-provoking and sometimes humorous goings-on in the censorship world and we'd like to share some of these with you – and maybe stimulate some debate in your classroom.
If you have censorship-related questions about these articles please feel free to contact us. We'll update this page monthly, so check back for updates.
Note that the Censor's Log will be taking a break until the start of the new school year in February – so come back then and see what we've found.
PLAYING WITH YOUR EMOTIONS
Some new research has studied the effect of first-person shooter games on the brain activity of heavy gamers.
Read more about the research on the Game Politics website
Added November 2011
FIGHTING WORDS
A study has found that exposure to offensive language on TV and in video games is linked to aggression in teenagers.
Read an article about the research on the Daily Mail's website
Added November 2011
TWILIGHT: FOR MATURE AUDIENCES
Some scenes in the new Twilight film were reduced after receiving an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Read an article about the new Twilight film on the New Zealand Herald's website
Read more about censorship overseas
Added November 2011
VIRTUAL CRUELTY
Animal rights activist group PETA has argued that the game Battlefield 3 encourages cruelty towards animals.
Read the article on the Stuff website
Added November 2011
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S FIRE?
New research finds that teenagers who watch films showing actors smoking are more likely to become smokers themselves.
Read the article on the BBC's website
Added November 2011
