Video Game Watchdog National Institute On Media And The Family Shutting Down

The National Institute on Media and the Family -- the non-profit group behind the sometimes controversial MediaWise Video Game Report Card -- is shutting down after 14 years of operation. The group, a frequent critic of the games industry, said it made the decision to close down in conjunction with Fairview Health Services, NIMF's founding sponsor. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based institute said its board is in talks with local and national non-profits that may continue NIMF's family-oriented research and advocacy initiatives. "Over the past two years the Institute’s board of directors has been in strategic discussions about succession and the Institute’s evolving mission and goals," said Dr. David Walsh, president and founder of NIMF. "The current challenging economic environment accelerated those discussions making this the right time to begin transitioning the programs to other organizations who share our mission and values." NIMF describes itself as a watchdog of the games industry. The group's research is focused on the affect of media on children's health and development. NIMF often found itself at odds with the video game industry, having in the past questioned the effectiveness of the Entertainment Software Rating Board's content rating system and aligning itself with the views of anti-mature game proponents such as Sen. Leland Yee of California and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. The organization also had significant input during the course of the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas "hot coffee" fiasco. The annual Video Game Report Card was often the source of the strain between NIMF and the games industry. For instance, the 2005 report card gave the ESRB an "F" for ratings accuracy; the ESRB quickly shot back, flunking NIMF's research and analysis competence. But in recent years, NIMF has also commended the ESRB and industry trade body the Entertainment Software Association for strides made in keeping mature-themed games out of the hands of children. Most recently, NIMF was focusing its research on video game addiction. "I am so grateful to Fairview and our other funders who enabled us to accomplish so much for children and families over the years," said Walsh, who stated in a blog post that he is not retiring, but will continue on as a commenter on parenting. "But, the work is far from finished and I look forward to transitioning the Institute’s programs to worthy organizations that I am confident will continue to educate parents and caregivers on our rapidly changing digital culture."