From the Pulpit: Are Embargoes Really Necessary?
Do embargoes protect the press or make for lazy journalism?
9/19/2008 6:41 PM | 9 Comments | Page 4 of 4
John Keefer
Status: Reading da Crispy content and playin' games.
Granted, I don't have all the answers, but having been a part of this industry for more than eight years has brought to light many issues that need to be discussed by our peers for our profession to evolve from an enthusiast press to true games
journalism. The issue of embargoes is just one of them. Taking a stand that we won't abide by embargoes, no matter how much I disagree with them, isn't the answer. Integrity and accountability are vital to the job we do. But a line needs to be drawn in the sand, and conversation needs to take place on ways to retake control of our profession. We are supposed to serve the readers and no one else. Serving the reader means giving them accurate information and an informed opinion. Yes, readers will read the first thing posted whether it is accurate or not; they make a buying decision on a flawed review and they lose. We all therefore owe it to them to give them the best possible piece we can, not some rushed hack job to beat the competition. If that means trying to get our information through extra legwork and research, and buying our games when they are released in stores and being a bit later to in order to be accurate, so be it.
We need to take a critical look at our industry and how we as journalists do business. And readers need to continue to hold their favorite sites up to scrutiny and call bullshit on shoddy writing (which is totally different from an opinion you disagree with). If you are a journalist, ask yourself: Are you content with the status quo? Are you enthusiast press or a games journalist? I know my answer. Do you?
