Why Video Game Journalism is Bad
The gaming industry has grown exponentially in recent years, and so has the amount of coverage it receives from journalists. Unfortunately, much of this coverage is poor quality, with journalists often failing to deliver accurate, insightful reports on video games.
Lack of Knowledge and Experience
One of the main reasons why video game journalism is so bad is a lack of knowledge and experience among journalists. Many journalists who cover the gaming industry have little to no prior experience playing or creating games, which can lead to inaccurate reporting and a lack of understanding of the subject matter.
Sensationalism and Clickbait
Another reason why video game journalism is so bad is sensationalism and clickbait. Many journalists are under pressure to create headlines that will attract a large number of clicks, regardless of the accuracy or relevance of the content. This often leads to sensationalized reports that exaggerate the positive or negative aspects of a game, or even make up stories entirely.
Lack of Objectivity and Bias
Many video game journalists have personal biases that can affect their reporting. For example, some may be fans of a particular game or developer, which can lead them to report positively on anything related to that game or developer, even if it is not accurate or fair.
Lack of Diversity and Representation
The gaming industry is diverse and inclusive, but video game journalism often fails to reflect this diversity. Many journalists covering the industry are white, straight, cisgender men, which can lead to a lack of representation and diversity in their reporting.
Lack of Professionalism and Ethical Standards
Video game journalism is often plagued by a lack of professionalism and ethical standards. Many journalists fail to fact-check their stories properly, leading to inaccuracies and mistakes. They also often fail to disclose any conflicts of interest or potential biases, which can undermine the credibility of their reporting. Additionally, some journalists have been accused of plagiarizing content or stealing ideas from other writers, further eroding public trust in video game journalism.
Improving Video Game Journalism
Increase Knowledge and Experience
To improve the quality of video game journalism, journalists must increase their knowledge and experience in gaming. This can be done by playing games more frequently, learning about game development, and seeking out opportunities to work with game developers or other industry professionals. By doing so, journalists can gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and produce more accurate and insightful reports.
Promote Objectivity and Diversity
To promote objectivity and diversity in video game journalism, it is important to increase representation among journalists covering the industry. This can be done by actively recruiting journalists from different backgrounds and promoting diversity within news organizations. By doing so, we can ensure that a wider range of perspectives are represented in gaming coverage, leading to more balanced and accurate reports.
Enforce Ethical Standards
Enforcing ethical standards is crucial to improving the quality of video game journalism. This includes fact-checking stories thoroughly, disclosing any conflicts of interest or potential biases, and avoiding plagiarism or stealing ideas from other writers. By doing so, journalists can increase public trust in their reporting and ensure that their work is taken seriously.
Promote Professionalism
Promoting professionalism among video game journalists is also important for improving the quality of coverage.