Mass Effect Controversy - What has happened to my media?

[FoolKiller]

For those that haven't seen it and don't read any form of gaming news sites away from here I will sum this all up and hotlink the related articles.

To start Mass Effect, the XBox 360 RPG, has a sex scene after about 20 hours of gameplay, if you worked your relationships correctly. The video of said scene is on You Tube. Find it yourself. I won't post it here although I believe it is tame enough to not violate AUP.


Anyway, first a conservative journalist and talk show host gets wind of this and blogs about it, using phrases such as Virtual Orgasmic Rape and claiming it is marketed to 15-year-olds.

After he gets flamed and has multiple comments he makes a second post trying to defend himself. Then he actually listens to gamers on his radio show, removes his original post, and apologizes.

At that point I very nearly made this thread, but decided that it had come and gone.

But I was wrong as Fox News' Live Desk apparently caught the original post and put a segment together about it. In this segment Fox News titled it Sexbox and put development psychologist Cooper Lawrence up against gaming journalist Geoff Keighley. Click the link for the video. Ms. Lawrence laughingly admits to not playing the game and the host describes full digital pornography. All while the actual scene is playing on screen. Keighley attempts to correct their "facts" but is cut off and brushed aside.

Then the gaming community finally snapped. Flame mails aside, EA sent a letter demanding Fox News correct their piece and pointed out programming on Fox that has worse content. Then Fox News told MTV that they have asked EA to come on the show but EA says they aren't going to get pitted against another "expert" looking to sell a book.

Meanwhile on Amazon Cooper Lawrence's book suddenly has its reader reviews go from mediocre to bombed. Apparently gamers gave it poor reviews
and ratings, even saying they hadn't read the book because from Ms. Lawrence's example that isn't necessary. And on X-Play Adam Sessler reviews her book without reading it (video in link).

Then in a New York Times article Ms. Lawrence backs down, saying:

“I really regret saying that, and now that I’ve seen the game and seen the sex scenes it’s kind of a joke.

“Before the show I had asked somebody about what they had heard, and they had said it’s like pornography,” she added. “But it’s not like pornography. I’ve seen episodes of ‘Lost’ that are more sexually explicit.”

Then over at LoadingReadyRun.com they made a parody video.

And in the final chapter (so far) Jack Thompson weighs in. And as he spoke Satan quickly ran to buy a coat because Jack Thompson supported the game.



You know, for years I have supported the media. I feel the same about Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and NBC. Ratings is their game. Commentary shows were always slanted by nature and some bias would always seep into the actual news reporting, but in the end general news reporting attempted to remain unbiased. I am seeing more sensation and bias seeping into the main news reporting. I once even contemplated going into the media field. I was a Communications major for one semester in college, I took audio and video production courses, and finally settled on telecommunications focusing more on the research and theoretical side than the technical side because how it worked and why people watch interested me.

I work in media research of a sort. We don't do studies like research firms, we find segments for PR purposes. I have access to nearly every news segment in the US. I see it happening more and more, whether it be local or national.

I see the same thing happen in print. I can access that too if I go through another department.

All of that said, this is not coming from the widespread media organizations, like AP. I have found more desire to get everyday news from the Wii News Channel, which is just an AP feed, than from anything on TV.

Maybe I am the only person here that cares. Maybe I am the only member here that studied journalism and communications and has recognized the importance of ideas such as journalistic integrity and can see the difference between watchdog of the government (Edward R Murrow) and political bias (Dan Rather - or whoever was behind that). If I am then I will stop my rant.

If not: Have we given up on journalistic integrity for sensationalism and ratings?

Perhaps I just feel like I am slowly being betrayed by an industry that caught my interest. Considering how many of our founding fathers were journalists I may even feel the country is being betrayed as it goes against their ideas.

I just use the Mass Effect example because the gaming medium gets a bad reputation often and this is just one example of games having false information reported about them. I don't intend this to be a Mass Effect discussion as pretty much everything that can be said has been said.

 

[Danoff]

Have we given up on journalistic integrity for sensationalism and ratings?

Yes, but I don't think it will last. Giving up on journalistic integrity for sensationalism and ratings is not a new thing. The Sun news has been doing it for years. When CNN and Fox start becoming considered tabloids, another news organization with some integrity will come along and report real news.

You're just riding through a downward cycle before the market reacts. And here's an example of the market reacting:

I have found more desire to get everyday news from the Wii News Channel, which is just an AP feed, than from anything on TV.

 

[FoolKiller]

Maybe I am just too much of a media junky. Remember: This is coming from a guy who has Orson Welles biographies and the original War of teh Worlds radio broadcast, complete with ads and opening 10 minutes orchestral segment, on CD.

You have to admit that the fact I get my most accurate news from a gaming console is pretty sad.


I should see if I can get my PS3's RSS feed to get the AP.

 

[Loon]

I love that the gaming community gave them a taste of there own medicine.

 

[FoolKiller]

I love that the gaming community gave them a taste of there own medicine.

Yeah, I think they are quickly finding that the misconception that we are all a bunch of kids is not true. So, when this new punching bag starts to punch back they get caught off guard.

 

[Loon]

Yeah, I think they are quickly finding that the misconception that we are all a bunch of kids is not true. So, when this new punching bag starts to punch back they get caught off guard.

Exactly, I'm sure they didn't expect this kind of retort and I'm also sure they'll be more careful before they start condemning people/groups before doing proper research.

 

[FoolKiller]

Exactly, I'm sure they didn't expect this kind of retort and I'm also sure they'll be more careful before they start condemning people/groups before doing proper research.

Perhaps you missed the point of my post. This is just one recent example that glaringly points out the media's growing willingness to do this.

Trust me if they decide the gaming community is too tech savvy to mess with they will quickly move on to someone else.

And if you want to look at condemnation before doing research just watch any consumer watch style report and you will find they are full of it at least half the time. Why do you think my mom can't get the only arthritis medicine that worked? Because some people had heart related incidents. The media jumped on it, the drug was pulled by the manufacturer, there were lawsuits, and none of the research said 100% that it would cause heart related incidents, just maybe. My mom didn't even have her blood pressuer raise. On the other hand pseudophedrine makes her feel like she is about to pass out but anyone can walk up to a pharmacy counter and ask for it.

Trust me it happens all the time and I am torn between hating the lack of journalistic integrity and loving the spike in business it gives me (like I said, PR based media research). And I know business will be really good when it leads to a Congressional hearing.

 

[Tornado]

This is the time that I'm glad that the industry has gotten so crazily powerful and lucrative that it spawns such heavy hitters such as EA.

 

[Year.Zero]

Funny how this is the first act I've ever supported EA on. Hopefully, it won't be the last. Who knows, Mass Effect may even turn out to be a good game.

 

[McLaren]

Wait...EA and Jack Thompson did something good for gamers? Must be a sign....

 

[Pupik]

When CNN and Fox start becoming considered tabloids, another news organization with some integrity will come along and report real news.

I'm starting to look at CNN and Fox News as the McDonald's and Burger King of journalism: They're everywhere, serve it up quick with images that aren't as good as expected, only somewhat palatable, and there's far better choices out there if you've got extra time on your hands for something hearty.

 

[Year.Zero]

Haha, Wiki update:

Controversies

The Live Desk tends to have a partisan inclination while reporting some of their stories, and host Martha MacCallum, with a variety of guests, have bullied interviewees who represent the opposing side in a particular argument. These tactics include group attacks, denying balanced response time, and interrupting interviewees in mid-sentence, as seen in the Mass Effect debate. [1] [2]

 

[JCE]

WTF, there isn't even any nudity? That video was a waste of my 1:35. Thumbs down!

Seriously, I didn't see the story on the news so I wasn't even aware that there was a "controversy" over this alleged "debauchery". If I want nudity why would I play a video game?

 

[Pupik]

If I want nudity why would I play a video game?

I could answer that, but:

1) I'd offend 90% of the all the registered members of this these boards.
2) 99% of the said 90% would lie in return, anyhow.

I'm not going anywhere good with this, so this will be a warning to myself.

 

[Zrow]

This is all just video games' painful transition from a kid's toy to a legitimate art medium.

 

[VTRacing]

Maybe I am the only person here that cares. Maybe I am the only member here that studied journalism and communications and has recognized the importance of ideas such as journalistic integrity and can see the difference between watchdog of the government (Edward R Murrow) and political bias (Dan Rather - or whoever was behind that). If I am then I will stop my rant.

If not: Have we given up on journalistic integrity for sensationalism and ratings?

Perhaps I just feel like I am slowly being betrayed by an industry that caught my interest. Considering how many of our founding fathers were journalists I may even feel the country is being betrayed as it goes against their ideas.

You are not the only person who cares. The "Fox" effect is starting to make its presence felt here in Australia too, much to the detriment of informed comment and unbiased news.

I too briefly studied Journalism, before realising that 9 out of 10 journalists already have the story written in their heads before they start looking at the facts, and very few are willing to change their pre-conceived ideas when faced with conflicting evidence. So if they show that evidence at all, it is minimised or criticised.

My wife gets very annoyed at me when I watch so-called "current affairs" programs here, because I can't sit still and watch them pretend to be journalists.

 

[niky]

I'm starting to look at CNN and Fox News as the McDonald's and Burger King of journalism: They're everywhere, serve it up quick with images that aren't as good as expected, only somewhat palatable, and there's far better choices out there if you've got extra time on your hands for something hearty.

Just now? I've been seeing this in US news networks for the past seven years... it's easier to see the unconscious biases and exaggerations if the news isn't happening to you. CNN gives me a headache... so I usually end up watching BBC. Unfortunately, most of their programming is dedicated to soccer...

But nearly all news networks are guilty of sensationalism, in one way or another.... and what makes it even worse is that when there's an actually important story or viewpoint that's expressed in the news... people of certain political inclinations cry "Bias!"...

It's nearly impossible to sort the wheat from the chaff nowadays... it's sad that you have to be a political/social/economical analyst to actually cut through all the bull**** on the news nowadays and figure out what the real story is.

 

[FoolKiller]

Well, Live Desk has now broken the number one rule in journalism: don't be the story. They have now reported on their own "expert's" recanting. Of course they failed to admit they blatantly gave false information and correct it.
http://gamepolitics.com/2008/01/29/report-fox-news-host-talks-mass-effect-on-yesterdays-show/

I think it would be funny if a show on G4 did an expose on Live Desk and called Martha MacCollum a pathological liar and other false facts.

I'm starting to look at CNN and Fox News as the McDonald's and Burger King of journalism: They're everywhere, serve it up quick with images that aren't as good as expected, only somewhat palatable, and there's far better choices out there if you've got extra time on your hands for something hearty.

I will say that it is fortunate I work in a place where I have access to multiple sources, but in the end it seems if I just want facts I am best reading the straight AP feed. And then if I want all the facts I have to do my own research.

I believe the recent spy satellite crashing to Earth and killing us all story this past week has been a perfect example. I have seen stories all week questioning what the result of this may be and who would it hit. Fact is since we have started sending them up over 17,000 have fallen from the sky. But that wasn't good enough, everyone had to bring up the toxic fuel, which experts have since pointed out would burn up on re-entry.

Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts.
Or in the words of John McClane, "Just the fax."
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_spy_satellite_set_to_hit_Earth_b_01282008.html

You are not the only person who cares. The "Fox" effect is starting to make its presence felt here in Australia too, much to the detriment of informed comment and unbiased news.

I won't call it the Fox Effect because yellow journalism has been around a long time and Fox was started as a counterpoint to other outlets.

And as independent research has shown Fox news reporting (read: not commentary shows) is actually one of the most balanced out there.

And considering Rupert Murdoch is from Australia I am surprised it has taken this long. But then Rupert Murdoch does not impose a controlling force on Fox News, aside from telling them to make money.

Warning: not commonly known Fox News facts follow. If you wish to remain biased and blaming Rupert Murdoch move along.
The control of Fox News is done by CEO Roger Ailes. Ailes was a media consultant for Nixon, Reagan, and Bush sr. That may explain a lot more than anything you can say about Murdoch. Before Fox News Ailes ran CNBC, which is a very good channel in my opinion, and then helped NBC create the channel America's Talking. When NBC and Microsoft partnered and turned America's Talking into MSNBC, the worst in my opinion, they took away creative control and he quit when Murdoch offered him the Fox News job. He had one condition for Murdoch. THIS IS IMPORTANT He wanted only one thing: full creative control.

Say what you want about Murdoch and his use of sensationalism and tabloid news (His first American show was "A Current Affair", the first tabloid news show - which Ailes later canceled) to create ratings. He is a good businessman. But you cannot blame him for any bias on Fox News. He hired the man who was, at the time, the best candidate for the job. Looking at CNBC and what America's Talking was before it became MSNBC I would have hired him too.

I too briefly studied Journalism, before realising that 9 out of 10 journalists already have the story written in their heads before they start looking at the facts, and very few are willing to change their pre-conceived ideas when faced with conflicting evidence. So if they show that evidence at all, it is minimised or criticised.

It is amazing how many people get into journalism with Edward R Murrow dreams and end up being less like Murrow and more just biased. Most journalists don't realize they do it because they think they are being watchdog, but a good watchdog knows when to stop barking.

My wife gets very annoyed at me when I watch so-called "current affairs" programs here, because I can't sit still and watch them pretend to be journalists.

Yeah, I had a similar situation with my wife when I saw the satellite story again a couple of days ago and I went off.

Just now? I've been seeing this in US news networks for the past seven years... it's easier to see the unconscious biases and exaggerations if the news isn't happening to you. CNN gives me a headache... so I usually end up watching BBC. Unfortunately, most of their programming is dedicated to soccer...

No, not just now. As I said it will always be there because no reporter is so pure that they don't have an opinion. But it is getting to the point where there are instances that false facts that are obvious to anyone who has paid any attention being said.

And it goes both ways. I clearly remember Ted Koppel on Nightline, post-war (Saddam's regime had fallen) and early into the occupation, doing a live report from Iraq. He was in a barber shop talking about how they still don't have electricity. Behind him the barber was using an electric shaver that was plugged into the wall outlet.

But nearly all news networks are guilty of sensationalism, in one way or another.... and what makes it even worse is that when there's an actually important story or viewpoint that's expressed in the news... people of certain political inclinations cry "Bias!"...

That is because true news does not have a viewpoint. True news should be just like the fair witnesses Heinlein has in Stranger in a Strange Land. They were bound by law to only report what they saw, not what their thought of what it means was. Now, news shouldn't be bound by law, but a journalist worth is press badge should never express a view point unless they label it a commentary. Some local stations in the US are good about this. I have seen them report the news and then at the end the station manager has a labeled commentary section where he talks about questions and thoughts brought up by the facts in the news and challenges the people involved to answer them. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree, but I respect that he made sure to say up front that he is giving his opinionated commentary.

In other words a news report should never have a question raised by the reporter as part of the story. That is the audiences job, and then a follow up will try to answer the audiences' questions. When a reporter asks a question for the audience in the initial report they are guiding the audience.

But what can we do, the term yellow journalism is nearly as old as journalism itself. The New York Times was started as a paper to combat yellow journalism and only give "the news that's fit to print."

It's nearly impossible to sort the wheat from the chaff nowadays... it's sad that you have to be a political/social/economical analyst to actually cut through all the bull**** on the news nowadays and figure out what the real story is.

You don't have to be an analyst, just know how to do research. Knowing where to look is a big first step and often that can be accomplished with a well worded Google search.

 

[Stevisiov]

I have found the Fox News clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L13Ct40cFIU&feature=RecentlyWatched&page=1&t=t&f=b

It amazes me what reaserch she speaks of, who conducts this research?

As far as I am aware I have been playing video games from a young age, so have my friends and I have yet to be re-inacting the violence I see in them. I have yet to hijack a car like I do all the time in grand theft auto. I have yet to shoot anyone, I have yet drive flat out or try to outrun police like in need for speed.

I think a few 'experts' read into events to much they don't realise this is just a casual medium for fun and not a sinister way of brainwashing children to be violent criminals who asspire to have sex with any female in sight.

It really takes just a few seconds thought to realise that if a child really wants to watch something 10 times more explicit they just need to enter 'sex' into google.

On topic of the media, I ussually refare to the BBC, any thoughts on that. I am under the impression that the BBC isn't particularly bias but I don't really compare it to much other news feeds so I can't really say for certain.

 

[YSSMAN]

...And people wonder why I've stopped watching Fox News altogether...

It just makes me sick watching this, personally. These idiots clearly have climbed into bed with the right wing nutjobs, and its becoming rather apparent that people are getting sick of it. Ratings are down big-time, and the ridicule meeter has been cranked up to 11.

This, obviously, is why I get my news from Digg, NPR and the BBC...

 

[FoolKiller]

...And people wonder why I've stopped watching Fox News altogether...

And by Fox News I hope you mean mainstream media, because Fox News is far from the start of this problem. Heck, they were a response.

 

[YSSMAN]

That, in general, yes. I really only watch CNN for the International programing at lunch, otherwise I watch the BBC America report in the evening and have NPR for the rest of the day.

 

[FoolKiller]

Honestly, the only TV news I can watch anymore is CNBC. And that is mainly because their ratings are dependant on proper analysis. No one will continue to watch if they are given an incorrect buy/sell recommendation. People's entire retirments may rest on the accuracy of CNBC.


Plus, I have learned over the years that economic news will tell you moer about the important aspects of the world around you than anything else. In other words: It's the economy, stupid.


And then of course, Jim Cramer rocks.

 

[Tornado]

I think it would be funny if a show on G4 did an expose on Live Desk and called Martha MacCollum a pathological liar and other false facts.

I don't. That is personally the last thing I think a situation like this needs.

 

[Zrow]

Honestly, the only TV news I can watch anymore is CNBC. And that is mainly because their ratings are dependant on proper analysis. No one will continue to watch if they are given an incorrect buy/sell recommendation. People's entire retirments may rest on the accuracy of CNBC.


Plus, I have learned over the years that economic news will tell you moer about the important aspects of the world around you than anything else. In other words: It's the economy, stupid.


And then of course, Jim Cramer rocks.

Check out "Confessions of a Street Addict" - great read.


Anyway, all this Mass Effect talk makes me really want to play it.

 

[Year.Zero]

This is all just video games' painful transition from a kid's toy to a legitimate art medium.

True that. 👍

+2 air rep

 

[niky]

No, not just now. As I said it will always be there because no reporter is so pure that they don't have an opinion. But it is getting to the point where there are instances that false facts that are obvious to anyone who has paid any attention being said.

A lot of our local news is like that... it irritates me to watch some news shows here, as a lot of reporters interject with their own opinions during an interview. Only a few of the older ones refrain from doing so.

And it goes both ways. I clearly remember Ted Koppel on Nightline, post-war (Saddam's regime had fallen) and early into the occupation, doing a live report from Iraq. He was in a barber shop talking about how they still don't have electricity. Behind him the barber was using an electric shaver that was plugged into the wall outlet.

I'd love to have seen that.

It impresses me to no end how a lot of war "footage" of the mass chaos and killing, etcetera (whichever war), is often the same 30 second clip played over and over and over again...

That is because true news does not have a viewpoint. True news should be just like the fair witnesses Heinlein has in Stranger in a Strange Land. They were bound by law to only report what they saw, not what their thought of what it means was. Now, news shouldn't be bound by law, but a journalist worth is press badge should never express a view point unless they label it a commentary. Some local stations in the US are good about this. I have seen them report the news and then at the end the station manager has a labeled commentary section where he talks about questions and thoughts brought up by the facts in the news and challenges the people involved to answer them. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I disagree, but I respect that he made sure to say up front that he is giving his opinionated commentary.

Sorry, my bad... I shouldn't have said viewpoint... what I meant was, if a story emerged that supported one political viewpoint, people would emerge from the woodwork screaming "Bias"! without analyzing the story or event thoroughly.

Man... Stranger In a Strange Land... prehistoric stuff... fun book, too, I might add... but the "Witness" credo is a good one to live by... one which most reporters nowadays would do good to mimic... maybe we can start a "Witness" cult?

In other words a news report should never have a question raised by the reporter as part of the story. That is the audiences job, and then a follow up will try to answer the audiences' questions. When a reporter asks a question for the audience in the initial report they are guiding the audience.

All too frigging true...

But what can we do, the term yellow journalism is nearly as old as journalism itself. The New York Times was started as a paper to combat yellow journalism and only give "the news that's fit to print."

What? NYT? Biased? Noooo... really? So there is no "Global Warming"? Hahaha... I actually read that sometimes (it comes as a supplement in a local paper)... some good articles, but, yes, their slant is patently obvious... and they seem to ignore much of the rest of what goes on to focus on their own pet agenda.

You don't have to be an analyst, just know how to do research. Knowing where to look is a big first step and often that can be accomplished with a well worded Google search.

As long as it doesn't lead you to the internet boards... some of the guys out here are crazier than the news agencies... ...but then, I've seen some of the most level-headed, no-nonsense stuff here, too...

-----

BTW, on a not-totally unrelated note: Brock Yates has been sacked from Car&Driver. Whether or not you agree with his editorial ranting, you can read new Brock Yates columns online at http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/

 

[FoolKiller]

I don't. That is personally the last thing I think a situation like this needs.

Sometimes satire can bring attention to an issue often ignored. Just look at how many young people base their political opinions on The Daily Show.

Anyway, all this Mass Effect talk makes me really want to play it.

From what I understand talk is mostly what it is. I don't have a 360 so I haven't played it but people into the genre love it and everyone else seems to think they talk too much. If I get a 360 I may check it out, because while I am not a big RPG fan I do love a good story.

I'd love to have seen that.

Most people didn't notice, but I did because I had to do something with the piece at work and it meant I watched the video over and over. After a while you get tired of looking at Ted's face so you glance around at the background.

It impresses me to no end how a lot of war "footage" of the mass chaos and killing, etcetera (whichever war), is often the same 30 second clip played over and over and over again...

And if you walk around the corner from that scene the rest of the city is business as usual. Although, I will give Koppel some credit, when he did his reports from Iraq he went to the scenes of the stories himself and was always on camera, so that you knew he was there and not reporting from notes taken by a field reporter.

What? NYT? Biased? Noooo... really? So there is no "Global Warming"? Hahaha... I actually read that sometimes (it comes as a supplement in a local paper)... some good articles, but, yes, their slant is patently obvious... and they seem to ignore much of the rest of what goes on to focus on their own pet agenda.

It amazes me how far they have strayed from their roots.

As long as it doesn't lead you to the internet boards...

You need to know how to search and where to look. Since part of my job requires a bit of Internet researching I have gotten good at getting the results I want from Google, or at least getting on the right path. But you do need to be able to identify a good site from a bad site.

 

[Pupik]

BTW, on a not-totally unrelated note: Brock Yates has been sacked from Car&Driver. Whether or not you agree with his editorial ranting, you can read new Brock Yates columns online at http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/

The internet had arrived, the game changed, they didn’t. The magazine got thinner and thinner, making my paycheck seem fatter and fatter.

Okay, it's now (semi-)official. I'm not nuts, and they didn't publish my letter stating that 10 out of 12 issues is now 116-128 pages...compared to the late-90s issues that were all 160 pages at a minimum.

 

[wfooshee]

If we could teach kids to think, rather then feed them facts, this could never happen.

[Conspiracy Theory]
But that'll never happen, because a thinking public cannot be controlled!
[/Conspiracy Theory]