| The purpose of this case study has been to examine policy development in Canada on the issue of media violence over the past two decades. A literature review of media studies, both before and since publication of the LaMarsh Report, has demonstrated that the growing volume of research data on the subject of violent themes in cultural commodities point overwhelmingly toward harmful effects.;Recommendations in the LaMarsh Report for new strategies involving government action, industry restructuring, and support of individual education, with responsibility equally shared, have been implemented only marginally. The ways in which these parameters are currently accepted or under attack in research, public debate, and action, on the part of both government and industry have been traced.;Qualitative methods were used to uncover obscure reasons for limited change. Data analyzed include personal examination of trends in communications research; the findings themselves; interviews with key public figures involved in policy development in Canada; participatory, action-orientated collection of documentation; and observation through leadership of Canadians Concerned about Violence in Entertainment (C-CAVE), founded in 1983.;Based on the analysis it has been argued that the LaMarsh Commission findings were exceptional in identifying industry structure, social and economic forces, and Canadian-American media relations, as key aspects of the "problem." It recognized that powerful economic and social interests determine market forces that influence and shape media content, structure, and control; and that there is a need to resist them.;Second, the LaMarsh Commission recognized the damage caused by media violence and took a clear position in the "cause and effects" debate. It demonstrated a firm commitment to democratic principles of civil liberties pertaining to freedom of expression and speech, but rejected the position that these included protection for violence in the media.;The study concludes with an assessment of what now needs to happen to accelerate the speed of meaningful change. Violence in the media is now widely regarded as an urgent social and health problem on a global basis. As a cultural component to environmental degradation it is discussed with some specific recommendations for potential initiatives on the part of Canadians. |
