The Need for True Gaming Journalism
At this point: Bring Back Magazines!
There has been a growing void in video game journalism in the last ten years. That void has been the lack of unbiased video game journalism. It has never been needed more as the video game industry grows and outperforms all other media.
It has come from the infusion of personal ideologies into game reviews and the blurring lines between actual journalism and entertainment driven by internet clicks. We must have the video game fans call for returning to traditional journalistic practices & principles.
The Essence of Journalism
Journalism serves as a cornerstone of a free society. Journalists are supported in providing their readers or customers on any platform with accurate and impartial information necessary for informed decision-making. The sad part is that most people you talk to nowadays can't tell you what a real journalist is. The American Society of News Editors (ASNE) emphasizes that the primary purpose of journalism is to serve the public welfare by informing people and enabling them to make judgments on contemporary issues. This responsibility demands a commitment to truth, accuracy, and independence.
Defining a Professional Journalist
Do you want to be a professional Journalist? I hope I can inspire someone because we do need them! Let's begin by defining who a journalist is in the good old USA.
How to Become a News Analyst, Reporter, or Journalist.
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
News analysts, reporters, and journalists typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. An internship or work experience on a college newspaper, radio station, or television station may also be helpful.
A professional journalist is traditionally defined as an individual "trained" (this is the keyword) to collect, verify, and present news and information objectively. This role requires adherence to established ethical standards, including truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality, and accountability. Journalists are expected to avoid conflicts of interest and to distinguish clearly between news reporting and opinion pieces. American Society of News Editors (ASNE) Now, I'm using this document created in 1922 and revised in 1975; specifically, it was pre-internet and social media, and the standards would not have the bias that today’s gaming journalists have.
The Shift in Video Game Journalism
The video game industry has witnessed a shift wherein reviews and articles often reflect the personal ideologies of writers rather than focusing solely on the game's content and quality. This trend can be attributed to several factors:
Hiring Practices: Some media outlets employ writers without formal journalism training to reduce costs and the. Individuals with backgrounds in teaching, English, ethnic studies, or women's studies may bring valuable perspectives but might lack grounding in journalistic ethics and standards.
Ideological Bias: Writers are infusing their personal political or social views into game reviews. For instance, a game featuring a male protagonist might be criticized for perpetuating patriarchal themes, or a game using terminology like "Gulf of America" could be penalized due to political disagreements. What does the name of a piece of land that can be changed by any President at will have to do with gameplay? Even worse, a lot of these journalists attack or are antagonistic to the average gamer, who typically is a man, about 86% minimum, according to most serious studies. Do you want to read opinions that think you are the reason for most of the world's problems?
Access Journalism: Major game developers may offer exclusive content, interviews, or other perks to journalists, leading to potential conflicts of interest. This is specifically problematic when these journalists are not making any real money and can be enticed by vacation-type trips they could not afford on their salary. This practice can result in favorable reviews for subpar games to maintain access, undermining journalistic integrity. Most Journalists do not even make a medical salary, while according to reports, an In-N-Out Burger manager typically earns around $160,000 per year. We should be selling burgers!
The Rise of Alternative Voices, YouTube.
Disillusioned by perceived biases in mainstream game journalism, many gamers turn to independent content creators on platforms like YouTube. These creators often provide unfiltered opinions and foster a sense of community. However, while they may offer valuable insights, they typically lack formal journalistic training, which can lead to challenges in source verification and maintaining objectivity. These are entertainers who happen to do a better job at journalism than actual journalists.
The Importance of Unbiased Journalism
Unbiased journalism is vital for a well-informed public and a functioning democracy. The ASE's Statement of Principles outlines core responsibilities, including:
Responsibility: Serving the public by providing accurate information.
Freedom of the Press: Defending against encroachments on journalistic freedom.
Independence: Avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining impartiality.
Truth and Accuracy: Ensuring information is correct and presented in context.
Impartiality: Distinguishing between news reporting and opinion.
Adherence to these principles fosters trust between journalists and the public.
Moving Forward
To restore credibility in video game journalism, several steps can be considered:
Professional Training: Media outlets should prioritize hiring individuals with formal education in journalism or provide comprehensive training in journalistic ethics and standards.
Clear Ethical Guidelines: Establishing and enforcing codes of ethics can help maintain objectivity and prevent conflicts of interest.
Transparency: Disclosing potential biases, sponsorships, or perks received from game developers can help readers assess the objectivity of reviews.
Public Awareness: Educating the audience on the distinctions between professional journalism, opinion pieces, and entertainment content empowers consumers to critically evaluate the information they receive.
In conclusion, we need diverse perspectives to enrich the discourse around video games; maintaining a foundation of unbiased, ethical journalism is essential. By upholding traditional journalistic standards, the industry can better serve its audience and contribute to a more informed and engaged gaming community.
References
Bureau of Labor and Services
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/reporters-correspondents-and-broadcast-news-analysts.htm#:~:text=How%20to%20Become%20a%20News,station%20also%20may%20be%20helpful.
ASNE Statement of Principles
https://web.archive.org/web/20150407151346/http://asne.org/content.asp?pl=24&sl=171&contentid=171