Sterling Avoids Legitimate Concerns about Journalism Ethics

Some game journalists posted pictures of themselves with free PS4s that they received from a Sony review event in New York. These pictures angered some readers who questioned why journalists should receive “gifts” from video game companies. As someone who earned a journalism degree, I understand where some readers are coming from. It’s a fundamental question raised in journalism ethics class: should reviewers receive free services or products for review? Any good journalism teacher will tell you that if you accept free services or products, you open yourself up to legitimate concerns about conflicts of interest.

- Jed Pressgrove, Fate of the Game

[sincitysir1]

It's kinda hard to say no to a free 400 bucks. But I do agree it puts a journalist integrity on the chopping block

[sigfredod]

If this was really a concern all the big publishers and manufacturers would get only 9+ scores and thats not the case

[CustardTrout]

I want a free PS4, screw you Sony.

[2cents]

LooooOOOooooL

that Ps4 Licking at the end was hilarious!!!

[VanDamme]

I disrespectfully agree.

[VanDamme]

These journalist go to these events and have to subject themselves to countless cosplay ass and tits. I mean, that's a hard days work and they deserve some relief... Sometimes you feel like getting a nut, sometimes you feel like a ps4.

[VanDamme]

I don't mind the disagree, but I'm curious:

are you disagreeing that a journalist needs relief after hours of cosplay pa'chalk being thrown in his face?

or that sometimes you feel like getting a nut *slash* feeling like a ps4?

I could just have easily said, sometimes you feel like getting a nut, sometime you feel like a xbone

[OhReginald]

Buying a game and reviewing it is WAAAYYY different then getting a free game and reviewing it.

[MaverickStar7]

I look to the game journalists for reporting on the industry news. When it comes to reviews, I don't value their opinion any more or less than any other person. Sure a free game or system raises questions if you can trust there review or not. But then every persons review of a game is subjective. Each person has particular tastes. What things they hold as more important than others can be different. There are even differences in judging quality. Then you add in if a persons integrity is compromised by a free system.
It doesn't matter to me if its Sterlings, Sesslers, or some guy with a 10 view a month blog. Its just another persons opinion. What I do expect from game journalists is well put together and interesting articles or videos reporting news and details.

[mhunterjr]

Yeah. I'm all for free swag. I'm even for having prize giveaways. But giving journalists such a high dollar gift creates a conflict of interest

[cyguration]

I thought Jim did a great job of analyzing both sides of it, and I do agree that game reviewers/journalists shouldn't have to spend too much out of their own pocket. Not all of them are Angry Joe and can afford to do such things.

[AndrewLB]

Funny how it was only a 8 days ago where I made a post about this very issue regarding journalistic integrity because I felt no respectable journalist could give a fair and balanced review of a product after not only receiving a FREE one from the manufacturer... but one that was custom engraved and personalized. lol.

I'm glad some in the gaming media have spoken out against this kind of corruption.

[VanDamme]

Yeah