An epilepsy warning has been included at the beginning of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s latest video, ‘…in Paris’.
The warning on the video was originally used on another Kanye West video, All of the Lights. This is after UK charity Epilepsy Action warned that extensive use of flashing imagery in the video could cause seizures in some people.
Stacey Rennard, PR and campaigns manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “Epilepsy Action was not consulted about this video, although we now know that watching it does pose a risk to people with photosensitive epilepsy.
“We are pleased to see that a warning has been put in place to make people with photosensitive epilepsy aware that the video may be harmful.
“However, the warning does not go far enough and the video is still potentially dangerous. Many people with photosensitive epilepsy, especially young people, do not know they have it until something triggers their first seizure. In 1997, an episode of Pokemon shown on Japanese television caused almost 600 people to have seizures. Of these, 76 per cent had no previous history of epilepsy.
“It is also very disappointing that, despite the concerns raised last year about the All of the Lights video, Kanye West has knowingly made another video which could be harmful to some fans watching it. We would like to see the music industry show much more responsibility by not commissioning videos that contain potentially dangerous imagery.”
Epilepsy Action would like to see current Ofcom [UK television] guidelines extended to cover online material to prevent unnecessary harm to people with photosensitive epilepsy. At the moment material deemed too dangerous to be shown on television can still be shown by the same broadcaster online.
Epilepsy affects around 600,000 people in the UK. As many as three per cent of people with epilepsy could have photosensitive epilepsy, which means their seizures are triggered by flashing or flickering light. Seizures can cause injury and can, in the worst cases, be fatal.
If people have concerns or have been affected by this video, they can contact the Epilepsy Helpline on freephone 0808 800 5050 or email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk . People outside the UK can call on +44 113 210 8800 or find a list of local epilepsy organisations at www.epilepsy.org.uk/about/international-epilepsy-organisations
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