Censor rules manifesto and video game illegal

Two more publications promoting terrorism have been banned in New Zealand.

A document, reportedly shared by the anti-Semitic shooter who killed two people in Halle, Germany, on October 9, has been classified as objectionable under the Films, Videos & Publications Classification Act 1993.

Also banned is a video game that puts the player in the role of the person who allegedly killed 51 worshippers in two Christchurch mosques on March 15.

‘‘These publications promote killing and terrorism and serve no positive purpose,’’ Chief Censor David Shanks said yesterday.

The Halle attack was a blatant copycat of New Zealand’s March 15 terror attack; both were broadcast live on social media and both shooters released related hatefilled documents described as manifestos.

Both videos and manifestos are now illegal.

‘‘I have classified these as objectionable as they clearly aim to help teach and encourage others who are willing to commit similar atrocities against innocent people,’’ Shanks said.

Regarding the video game celebrating the March 15 attack, he said: ‘‘The creators of this game set out to produce and sell a game designed to place the player in the role of a white supremacist terrorist killer.

‘‘In this game, anyone who isn’t a white heterosexual male is a target for simply existing.’’

It wasn’t the first such game of this type that he had seen, he added. Previously, he had not wanted to ‘‘give the producers of the game the attention they were seeking

David Shanks

by classifying it’’. However, the producers appeared intent on producing a ‘‘family of white extremist games’’ to sell to customers in New Zealand and around the world.

‘‘I could not ignore this game, given the very real concerns around this latest game that were raised with me.

‘‘Having assessed it now, it is clear that this game promotes and celebrates white extremist mass murder. The games’ producers will try to dress their work up as satire but this game is no joke.

‘‘It crosses the line.’’

He asked that New Zealanders who came across similar content report it to the Department of Internal Affairs digital safety team.

DIA digital safety director Jolene Armadoros said: ‘‘We are committed to keeping New Zealanders safe from harm through the prevention and detection of objectionable content, and by educating Kiwis on how to keep themselves and their wha¯ nau safe online.’’