• 5Dec 07

  The Chilling Effect

  Before we begin let me first explain the title of this post:

  A chilling effect is a situation where speech or conduct is suppressed or limited by fear of penalization at the hands of an individual or group. For example, the threat of a costly and lengthy lawsuit might prompt self-censorship and have a chilling effect on free speech.

  Have no doubt there are far reaching and long lastting consequences that go beyond just Jeff Gertsmann. First and foremost is the chilling effect that I has spread across the Gamespot staff. When I listen to the Hot Spot podcast I hear a group of terrified guys who just realized that no amount of seniority or qualifications will protect them if the Suits deem that they be punished. Intentional or not Gertsmann's firing HAS without a dhadow of a doubt set a horrible precident. A dude who didn't wouldn't compromise his journalistic integrity and was natourious for not "playing ball" (EX. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on Wii a 8.8 & Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction a 7.5) was supposidly fired due to his "unprofessional tone".

  Don't believe in the chilling effect? Then listen to that Hos Spot podcast again or take a look at subrosian's post and take a look at what the staff and former staff have said in their blogs. Hell I will even pull some quotes for you:

  "If your editor won't oblige, you pull a Richard Nixon-esqeu Saturday Night Massacre and keep firing editors until you find an agreeable one. You can get away with firing them by saying they have an unprofessional tone, which is code for 'negative tone.'". - Adam B.

  "But right now, the only thing that comes to mind is that my heart is broken. Not for Jeff, he'll be fine. Not for the people he leaves behind, they are amazingly talented people and they'll be fine. For GameSpot, for the dream that it was, for the times that I had there, and for what I fear it will never be again." - Carrie

  Already staffers are choosing their words carefully and the worst thing about chilling effects are what is not said and how much will never be said for fear of retribution

  "Redacted.
  You know, I've edited this message a few times now and as much as I wish I could make some kind of authoritative statement, I'm still very low on the GameSpot totem pole so it's probably not my place to do so. Maybe I'm a coward." - MattRorie

  And now with an example set reviewers are left with a difficult choice

  "I sympathize greatly with those left with the difficult choice of "kicking" (following one's moral compass out the door) or "sticking" (paying that San Francisco rent in a tough economy)." - Richie-G

  More than just the choice they now know they are vunerable and that insubordination is a career ending offence. San Francisco is an expensive place to live and it's not like there are a lot of high-paying, high-profile videogame reviewer jobs out there for these guys to move to if they theyget sacked. If you've got a family to support, how do you tell them you got fired from your job rather than be a sellout?

  Even if they don't sellout and directly compromise their integrity I guarantee you that everyone will be more careful about what they say from now on... thus the chilling effect.

  • Posted Dec 5, 2007 10:59 pm PT
  • Category: Editorial
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• 4Dec 07

  Jeff Gerstmann Controversy

  Well for those of you interested I would like to direct you to subrosian's coverage of the Jeff Gerstmann controversy where he links to all the major news sources coverage, links, and staff/moderator responese.

  Gerstmann Controversy (part I) by subrosian

  • Posted Dec 4, 2007 9:14 am PT
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• 2Dec 07

  Mad as Hell...

  and I am not gonna take it anymore!

  Oh and also if you agree copy and paste the following into your own blog:

  Attention.

  Please do not go on GameSpot, GameFAQs, CNET, Download.com, TV.com, et cetera... do not go on ANY CNET site. Logout and DO NOT GO ON AT ALL from 12am EST on Monday (that's midnight tonight) until 12am EST on Tuesday. Don't come on the site, don't Google the site, don't click on a link to the site - don't do ANYTHING that generates a page view, search engine hit, or *anything*

  A lot of Gamespotter's more prominant posters will be taking this action to show solidarity with the staff (and Jeff) who have to fear their jobs being lost if they speak their mind. So for their inability to speak on this issue *we'll show CNET our silence*.

  This issue is bigger than you, it's bigger than me - it's bigger than GameSpot. This is about big business being able to use *buy* public opinion. Rather than live in a world where the media is controlled entirely by those with the most money, I want to live in a world where gamers who are living for their hobby (these guys truly work because of their passion for gaming, not the paycheck) can say what they truly feel about a game.

  So let's do the right thing and show solidarity with Jeff Gerstmann - if he can't go to work on Monday at GameSpot then neither will we.

  • Posted Dec 2, 2007 8:51 pm PT
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