[Discussion] Won't Somebody Think of the Children?

Post by **Nathan** » Tue Oct 13, 2020 6:17 pm

The following Opinion is proposed to the General Assembly by the Graecian delegation for debate.

The General Assembly of the Micras Treaty Organisation condemns the use of excessive violent, sexually explicit, harming, or otherwise any kind of content that would harm and shape badly the personality of children and the youth, and any content that is banned for any reason by its member states.

Debate is now open for one week.

Post by **EF2000** » Tue Oct 13, 2020 7:57 pm

Floria has had a large and successful video game industry since foundation and in my opinion this topic has arisen from recently created games such as the Micras Warfare franchise and other smaller games. Whilst Floria intentionally made these games violent and realistic to warfare on Micras. It would obviously be expected for such content to be inappropriate for young people under the ages of 18. Because of the violent nature, checks are common and regular so that Florian children do not access the content anyway.

Floria would be against any condemnation of our violent video games as they truly serve as entertainment for the Florian people and other nations globally who have experienced some kind of warfare in the past and to not harm and terrorise young children in any way.

Post by **Jack** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:20 pm

Calbion supports this initiative, we also decided to ban the violent poison that the Florian Republic exports. Calbain children should not waste their lives playing ungodly games, instead they should spend time by exploring the countryside and gain valuable skills trough working the land, craftwork or mining coal.

Post by **Nathan** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:57 pm

As the proposal is written, the final clause of "and any content that is banned for any reason by its member states" leaves this Opinion far too broad to garner support many. An MTO member state could ban "any content for any reason" and the MTO would be caught in condemning it if this Opinion is passed. For example, one state could ban violent content for its children, and another state could ban educational content for its children and now the MTO is condemn violent AND educational content for children?

Although I do not want to continue the trend of amending these Opinions ad nauseum, I think removing the clause mentioned above would make the Opinion more relevant and palatable.

Natopia believes in the spirit of the Opinion, and since Opinions are not legally binding or enforceable, I believe that should guide a member state's vote. If a member state believes in the basic central tenet of "children should not be intentionally harmed by explicit content" then the actual text should not matter as much.

Also, I do not see how passing this Opinion would condemn violent videogames such as Micras Warfare which is legitimate entertainment and not intended for children. If it were a Sesame Street game intended and marketed towards children exclusively, but then inside the game Big Bird conducts a Satanic blood ritual over Mr. Snuffleupagus' disemboweled corpse, then that game would fall under condemnation by this Opinion.

As I see this Opinion, it will also further protect Micras from any lingering Vanic threats that lurk. Natopia would interpret the entire Vanic faith as "sexually explicit [...] content that [...] harms and shapes badly the personality of children."

Continuator · Post by **Continuator** » Wed Oct 14, 2020 11:20 pm

If it were a Sesame Street game intended and marketed towards children exclusively, but then inside the game Big Bird conducts a Satanic blood ritual over Mr. Snuffleupagus' disembowelled corpse, then that game would fall under condemnation by this Opinion.

I'm just going to put it out there... that'd I'd gladly watch this sort of content.

Post by **Nathan** » Thu Oct 15, 2020 3:25 pm

Oh I absolutely would too

Eugene Friedriechsen · Post by **Eugene Friedriechsen** » Sat Oct 17, 2020 9:22 pm

The Graecian Delegacy would like to reclarify that, our proposed opinion is not intended to act as a weapon targeted to a specific nation or gaming franchise, but rather as a generall standard, which would help the world establish quality and safety standards We aslo accept any rewording proposal.
This said, while we would accept any action of the Florian authorities regarding their inner administration (and we want to believe that the claim that this content is banned for children is true), we would like to help nations that are willing to have more strict regulations (including us) to take appropriate measures for their own safety).

Post by **Nathan** » Sun Oct 18, 2020 8:24 pm

Eugene Friedriechsen wrote: ↑
Sat Oct 17, 2020 9:22 pm

Would the Graecian delegation permit their Opinion's text to be amended as follows?

The General Assembly of the Micras Treaty Organisation condemns the use of excessive violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise harmful content that would corrupt the personality of children and youth.

Post by **Jack** » Mon Oct 19, 2020 5:31 pm

The Calbain delegation regards the updated version as an improvement, and will certainly champion this principle of international law to safeguard our children against harmful content such as violent videogames, pornography, and homosexual propaganda.

Cosmic Fury · Post by **Cosmic Fury** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:01 am

From Ralgon:

The delegation from Ralgon strongly views such things as strictly a national affair only. Imposing even soft requirements on any nation's domestically produced content is repugnant to this delegation at best and unconscionable at worst. In either case, this Opinion, if ratified, would be so open to interpretation that any Member of the MTO could use it as an arbitrary verbal cudgel against another nation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From The Hexarchy:

The right to (reasonable) expression within the domestic confines of any country is to be protected, and this Opinion opens an avenue of attack on this very right, regardless of the reasoning behind said attacks. Yes, this Opinion was targeted at violent video games. No, this delegation does not care, as this Opinion clearly forms a blanket statement that condemns ALL media that ANY country deems poisonous to youth. Our culture is different from the rest of the MTO. The same can easily be said of any member state present. Thus, it is the adamant opinion of this delegation that media allowances and censorships remain strictly a domestic matter.

It must also be noted that any determined youth, if they want to consume (rightfully) restricted media out of some misguided need to rebel, will likely gain access to it eventually if they're both intelligent and industrious enough in said endeavor. The government can only do so much to protect the youth from themselves, and in any large country, some small number will inevitably fall through the cracks. Does this mean that ALL adults in all nations must pay the price for the folly of a small number of youth who are determined to walk the path of delinquency in their home country? If that is your wish, then this Opinion provides exactly that.

The Hexarchy states once again, for emphasis, that it is the adamant opinion of this delegation that media allowances and censorships remain strictly a domestic matter. Any and all attempts to interfere with the reasonable freedom of expression within its own borders will not be tolerated. Likewise, it shall staunchly defend the right of any other Nation in this organization to assess what is right and proper for their own citizens. Therefore, we propose the following counter-Opinion that keeps this basic principle in mind:

The General Assembly of the Micras Treaty Organisation condemns the illegal exportation of content by any external entity to any nation where said content is banned on grounds of being excessively violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise harmful content that would corrupt the personality of children and youth.

Post by **Nathan** » Tue Oct 20, 2020 9:12 pm

A quick polling of delegates for the preferred language, assuming the Graecian delegation is alright with the Secretariat amending their original language.

A. The General Assembly of the Micras Treaty Organisation condemns the use of excessive violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise harmful content that would corrupt the personality of children and youth.

B. The General Assembly of the Micras Treaty Organisation condemns the illegal exportation of content by any external entity to any nation where said content is banned on grounds of being excessively violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise harmful content that would corrupt the personality of children and youth.

Cosmic Fury · Post by **Cosmic Fury** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 2:03 am

Ralgon: Abstain

The Hexarchy: B

Post by **Jack** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:07 am

Post by **EF2000** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:14 am

Post by **Ric** » Wed Oct 21, 2020 6:46 pm

Chryse: A

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