12/6/04
In a sweeping action that surely has Hitler, Stalin and McCarthy smiling from
beyond the grave, the country that brought us such timeless entertainment
classics as Bad Taste and
Dead Alive (aka: Braindead)
has declared Postal2 illegal. It's astonishing to see that NZ's government
is willing to throw it's citizens in prison for the heinous crime of
playing mean-spirited and insensitive video games. But I guess when your government
has a censorship branch, they're got to look like they're doing something
to maintain their funding...
NZ's "Office
of Film & Literature Classification", self-described
"Government
body responsible for classifying publications that may need to be restricted
or banned" announced on 11/29/04
that Postal 2 is "likely
to be injurious to the public good" and is now classified
as banned.
New Zealanders should note that this is not merely a ban on the sale
of Postal 2, but it appears to actually be a criminal offense even to have
a copy in one's possesion, much like heroin or nuclear weapons. They indicate
that all persons"should either destroy it or send it to the Department
of Internal Affairs Censorship Compliance Unit (PO Box 805, Wellington)",
where I can only assume a guy in a hazmat suit is carefully dropping each
and every one into a giant blast furnace for the good of humanity.
In addition, "Anyone who possesses this game is liable to a fine of
$2,000 (s131). Anyone who supplies, distributes, exhibits, displays or advertises
Postal 2 could be imprisoned for up to a year or fined $20,000. Incorporated
distributors and retailers could face a fine of $50,000 (s124). Likewise any
person importing Postal 2 risks seizure of the game as well as 6 months in
jail or a fine of $10,000 (s209 of the Customs and Excise Act)."
Click HERE
to see the complete PDF of the ruling.
Sites
