Corruption In Games Journalism, or "Five Guys Burgers and Fries"

Foxi4

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Except detailing context and relevant surrounding info isn't really opinion. I mean, you could split hairs about how "subjective" that is, but the point is to strive for objectivity within the realm of human possibility. There's a clear difference between "Shots were fired in Gaza today, signaling an end to the most recent cease fire. The region has been embroiled in conflict since etc. etc." and "Shots were fired in Gaza today, as the fascist Israeli forces continued to wage war against Palestine and basic decency etc. etc."

The issue isn't that these reporters aren't meeting inhuman standards, it's that they have no standards and aren't trying at all.
There's a big difference between providing a mild personal opinion and being blatantly bias to either side of the conflict though. If the aforementioned "Israeli forces" happen to "open mortar fire on a helpless and unsuspecting village", the reporter can safetly say that the attack was "unprovoked" because that's what factually happened - there was a village and it was fired upon for no apparent reason. A reporter could also conclude that "such horrifying acts" happen everyday in the region, thus indirectly saying that he or she finds raining fire and shrapnel on a village without any provocation "horrifying", because that's what it factually is - the military should know better than to randomly fire upon civilian targets.

Journalism is a lot like walking the tightrope - you're on the thin line between the objective and the subjective and you have to provide the news to the people while simultaneously cast judgements without burning either side. There is nothing wrong in condemning an act that is worthy of being condemned.

Of course everything depends on the news piece discussed, really - sometimes an opinion is not required, but a projection is still welcome. Say, for instance, with stockmarket news. "Stock of Milky Way has gone up by 15% and it is likely to continue increasing according to analysts [citation needed]" is a thing. Then again, that's the analyst's opinion, not the reporter's. :P
 

Gahars

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There's a big difference between providing a mild personal opinion and being blatantly bias to either side of the conflict though. If the aforementioned "Israeli forces"happen to open mortar fire on a village, the reporter can safetly say that the attack was "unprovoked" because that's what factually happened - there was a village and it was fired upon for no apparent reason. A reporter could also conclude that "such horrifying acts" happen everyday in the region, thus indirectly saying that he or she finds raining fire and shrapnel on a village without any provication "horrifying", because that's what it factually is. Journalism is a lot like walking the tightrope - you're on the thin line between the objective and the subjective and you have to provide the news to the people while simultaneously cast judgements without burning either side. There is nothing wrong in condemning an act that is worthy of being condemned.

Who's to say it's the journalists job to cast judgement? Ideally, a journalist should provide all the information, all the cold, hard facts, so that the people can judge for themselves. We both agree that there's a tight line to be walked, and perfect objectivity is impossible (of course it is, we're all human), but it's important that journalists still strive to maintain our balance and remain above the fray.

I'm not dismissing the value of opinion entirely here. Like I said, there's definite value in opinion pieces, speculative pieces, etc. However, they're not news and should, ideally, remain wholly separate.
 
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Foxi4

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Who's to say it's the journalists job to cast judgement? Ideally, a journalist should provide all the information, all the cold, hard facts, so that the people can judge for themselves. We both agree that there's a tight line to be walked, and perfect objectivity is impossible (of course it is, we're all human), but it's important that journalists still strive to maintain our balance and remain above the fray.

I'm not dismissing the value of opinion entirely here. Like I said, there's definite value in opinion pieces, speculative pieces, etc. However, they're not news and should, ideally, remain wholly separate.
As I said earlier, everything depends on the particular news item discussed - some require the reporter's opinion to even make sense of whatever occured (X happened, but give me a perspective of what does that mean to me and should I be mad about it), some should only be presented as cold facts. There are opinion pieces (we were at the event X which we are covering, it: A) Blows and you shouldn't come - you're not missing much or B) Is amazing, you should totes hop in) and there are informative pieces (Little Sally, aged 8 went missing on Street Boulevard Avenue - here is her picture. If you know anything about Little Sally's whereabouts, call the following number). Journalism as a whole is a quite big bucket and I'll easily agree that it has to remain unbias. Perhaps my choice of words when it came to "judgement" was a bit too harsh, but certain pieces somewhat require seasoning before serving, otherwise they don't mean anything.
 
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FAST6191

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Since when was journalists being out of touch the issue?

Protectionism might be at play, I won't deny that, but there's definite merit in having journalists who have extensively studied the practices, history, and ethics of the field. Lawyers might be "out of touch" with the common man's understanding of the law, but when I'm in court, I'd much rather trust the expert than John Q. Public.
Being out of touch and potentially spouting drivel is always a potential issue, though some of the rest of that list is vital I would say you can probably still convey useful information in spite of not paying attention to those.
Maybe it is more that I care mainly about science and tech where stories tend to work best if they are actively written by those that might have otherwise done the peer review and a living, breathing sysadmin, programmer or one doing deployment.
There is a place for career journalists, probably even a sizeable one, however I am not sure I would treat it as a field in the same way I would law, medicine, accounting and, depending upon where you are in the world, things like engineering. I am definitely OK with reducing it to an additional skill rather than calling it something most people tend not to dual skill in. However we live in interesting times right now and journalism may end up some kind of protected field, or at least one with something like entry requirements, before too long -- the are bloggers journalists stuff, and related court cases, maybe seeing to some of that.

Potentially relevant at this point
 

Gahars

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Put on your conspiracy hats, everyone! This goes all the way to the top!

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SERPICO!

Also...

DFIyRhj.jpg
 

Phyzoon

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Came here to see if this was posted. Was not disappointed. Also, this could make the front news, right? Specially the sell-out aspect of Kotaku and Co. since there are only a few websites reporting all this shitstorm, like Gahars said, the more people aware of this bs, the better.
 

FAST6191

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Geeks desperate enough to give good reviews in exchange for banging an ug... why didn't they just take cash and spend it on a hooker instead?

If the events described thus far are true it is not like we are dealing with good journalists/terribly logical people.
 

Flame

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You didn't fuck her....


You bring shame to your family.

I fucked her...





Twice.



In all seriousness good game.
 

AlanJohn

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I returned to GBAtemp in the midst of this current situation looking for a post made by p1ngpong/raulpica/costello saying something like "Please don't hurt Zoe she's my gf". I am disappointed.
PS: Zoe if you want me to remove this post please PM me thanks.
 

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