<<
Back to Press Releases
Violent Video Games: Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto Controversy Indicates Need for
Reform
in Video Game Industry, Say Socially Responsible Investors
NEW YORK, NY ///July 21, 2005/// The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
(ICCR), a coalition of faith-based institutional investors with a combined portfolio
value of over $120 billion, pays attention to both the financial and social
performances of the companies in which its members invest. Among these companies
are video game software developers, console makers and retailers.
We are concerned with how the "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" controversy
impacts the video game industry as a whole.
For the past two years, our members have encouraged retailers, game developers
and marketers to follow and implement any internal codes and guidelines developed
by the interactive game industry to keep games with graphic violence and strong
sexual content out of the hands of youth. Recent events related to "Grand
Theft Auto: San Andreas" damage the credibility and effectiveness of current
industry guidelines.
We believe a positive outcome to this controversy would be the creation of
a
video games ratings process that
· is inclusive of all stakeholders: parents, teachers, the public health
community, retailers, game developers and investors;
· is transparent; and
· accountable to stakeholders through public disclosure.
As investors, we believe that taking such steps will better protect companies
in our portfolios from risks to shareholder value, while at the same time protect
children from inappropriate video games.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
NEW YORK CITY AREA
Cathy Rowan, Corporate Responsibility Consultant, Trinity Health
Phone: 718-822-0820
Fax: 718-504-4787
E-mail: rowan@bestweb.net
Julie Tanner, Christian Brothers Investment Services
Phone: 212-490-0800 ext.147
Fax: 212-490-6092
E-mail: tannerj@cbisonline.com
Gary Brouse, (also NEW JERSEY), Program Director
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
Phone: 212-870-2316
Fax: 212-870-2023
E-mail: gbrouse@iccr.org
ILLINOIS
Gwen Farry, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Phone: 312-641-5151
Fax 312-641-1250
E-mail: farry@claret.org
BOSTON AREA
Dawn Wolf, Boston Common Asset Management LLC
Phone: 617-720-5557
Fax: 617-720-5665
E-mail: dwolfe@bostoncommonasset.com
MICHIGAN
Sister. Mary Ellen Gondeck, Sisters of St. Joseph, Nazareth
Phone: 248-541-3094
Fax: 248-414-3627
E-mail: megssj@aol.com
Sister Regina McKillip, Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters
Phone: 708-366-6244
E-mail: opjustice@aol.com
PENNSYVANLIA (Philadelphia area)
Don R. Kuespert, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Phone: 610-793-0990
Fax: 610-793-0347
E-mail: drk@infi.net
Nora Nash, Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Phone: 610-558-7661
Fax: 610-558-5855
E-mail: nnash@osfphila.org
Pat Zerega, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Phone: 412-367-7575
Fax: 412-367-7411
E-mail: patricia_zerega@elca.org
<<
Back to Press Releases
|