‘Fake news’ a term that has been thrown around so casually it has harmed the reputation of journalists, but you know what hurts them even more? Shitty journalism.
Freelance journalist Matthew Barbour epitomizes what we call unethical journalism practices (despite being repeatedly exposed). His most recent piece made the page of UK publication The Daily Mirror, titled “Fortnite made me a suicidal drug addict” followed by “Dad saves his son, 17, from death plunge after he gets hooked on online craze.”
These splashy headlines are, unfortunately, what certain outlets want no matter the cost – literally. Well, former video game writer for Eurogamer and Youtube host of “What Makes Games,” Chris Bratt, decided it was the perfect opportunity to expose the journalist for his negligence once again.
Bratt wrote a thread on twitter of an email exchange he had had with Barbour two years ago. He found an inquiry the journalist had put out via ResponseSource, a site where reporters can put out requests for relevant case studies, and it peaked his curiosity. The writer tweeted he wanted to see how far Barbour was willing to go to get a story.
The piece was going to be on Pokemon-Go, “Maybe it’s affecting their sleep, their relationship, their work,” Barbour wrote, he then indicated he was willing to pay £100 to anyone willing to contribute. Bratt tweeted he responded with the header, “Pokemon Go is ruining my marriage” saying “and then wrote the most ridiculous tale I could manage.” Read the full thread below to see how far the journalist was willing to go for a tabloid story – it will honestly shock you.
While there isn’t evidence that the Fortnite story was made-up, Eurogamer did recently discover another ResponseSource email from Barbour on June 8th that stated he “urgently” wanted to talk to families who had children that were addicted to the video game, “The case study can be anonymous and we can pay a £300 fee. We can also fully credit any clinic or therapist.”
Chris Bratt, host of ‘People Make Games’ went to discuss his experience with the disturbing ‘fake news’ trend
Image credits: Chris Bratt
He laid out the shocking truth about how viral sensationalized stories are obtained
Eurogamer, Bratt’s former employer, recently got their hands on a similar email via ResponseSource on behalf of Barbour
Ryan Brown who writes about video games for the Mirror’s website shared his take on the situation
Lot’s of people had plenty to say on the story
The problem is not journalists. The problem lies with the public no longer knowing the difference between a newspaper and a tabloid, and having lost what little common sense it had in the first place.
Thank you! I'd upvote your comment a million times if I could. It seems that logic, critical thinking, and consumer awareness are in severe decline - at a point in time when they are much needed!
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It's because of idiots like this that Anti-Vax campaigns got started.
Now watch. Being Against Anti-Vaxxers will be the new trend, and people will just start blaming them for everything because it is cool.
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Sadly there are too many people that read that kind of stuff, believe it, and are still allowed to vote...
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This is not a credible newspaper. Only people who don't understand accuracy and integrity would believe any of the c**p that this and other tabloids publish.
Expose the fake news of video game review because its so much more important than parents reading about how vaccines are deadly, gmo food causing illness and how people should steam their lady bits... That bad case of measles will go away, just rub some lavender essential oil on it. It'll be fine.
Here in South Africa, we have a paper albeit tabloid which is pretty much the same. I have no idea where the people come up with these most outrages headlines and stories. They must really think we're all dimwits to even read, let alone believe that BS.
I just thought they were fun. I used to read the covers while standing in line at the store with my mother. I wasn't aware that people actually bought them because they believed in them. Top priority in the upbringing of my kids will be logical thinking, decision making based on evidence and fact, forethought, science and math, you know stuff that is useful and helpful to them and society. If they read these things they will know the difference between Entertainment and the real world around them. It is so disheartening to know that we have made major advances to the point where we are able to solve problems, yet the world seems more obsessed with using money, or what a person in Kuwait is where for mascaras. Oh well maybe my kids will be different. Who knows.
Why do people keep talking about journalism? They work for The Mirror. I can't even get myself to wipe my a*s with for fear of a contagious disease.
This is why the world is so fragmented, not just a story about games but all the story's the papers run, promoting intolerance and hate, blaming people instilling panic and fear that lead to nationalism and hatred. Open YOUR eyes ask yourself what do you believe about politicians,immigration,religion,poverty,wars, other country's now why do you think that?
He's a brilliant writer, I support him on Patreon. His videos about the history of video games are really entertaining.
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i don't respect journalism anymore... they push their own agenda and what they believed now regardless of the Truth.
Yet it is a mopre reliable source than social media. It is not possible to sit down for hours and read the scientific literature for every topic that you encounter...
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um, weekly world news started in the 1979. This stuff has been around for decades.
Yes, swifty, but now we have a dicktard in charge who benefited from the scourge that is unprecedented. Not only that, but people don't have the luxury of differentiating tabloid from legitimate news as c**p is passed around. Then there is media literacy. I know this is complex, I am sorry that it is and it's easy as f**k to think it's just the same old s**t, but it's not. Wake the f**k up.
Load More Replies...
The problem is not journalists. The problem lies with the public no longer knowing the difference between a newspaper and a tabloid, and having lost what little common sense it had in the first place.
Thank you! I'd upvote your comment a million times if I could. It seems that logic, critical thinking, and consumer awareness are in severe decline - at a point in time when they are much needed!
Load More Replies... It's because of idiots like this that Anti-Vax campaigns got started.
Now watch. Being Against Anti-Vaxxers will be the new trend, and people will just start blaming them for everything because it is cool.
Load More Replies... Sadly there are too many people that read that kind of stuff, believe it, and are still allowed to vote...
Load More Replies... This is not a credible newspaper. Only people who don't understand accuracy and integrity would believe any of the c**p that this and other tabloids publish.
Expose the fake news of video game review because its so much more important than parents reading about how vaccines are deadly, gmo food causing illness and how people should steam their lady bits... That bad case of measles will go away, just rub some lavender essential oil on it. It'll be fine.
Here in South Africa, we have a paper albeit tabloid which is pretty much the same. I have no idea where the people come up with these most outrages headlines and stories. They must really think we're all dimwits to even read, let alone believe that BS.
I just thought they were fun. I used to read the covers while standing in line at the store with my mother. I wasn't aware that people actually bought them because they believed in them. Top priority in the upbringing of my kids will be logical thinking, decision making based on evidence and fact, forethought, science and math, you know stuff that is useful and helpful to them and society. If they read these things they will know the difference between Entertainment and the real world around them. It is so disheartening to know that we have made major advances to the point where we are able to solve problems, yet the world seems more obsessed with using money, or what a person in Kuwait is where for mascaras. Oh well maybe my kids will be different. Who knows.
Why do people keep talking about journalism? They work for The Mirror. I can't even get myself to wipe my a*s with for fear of a contagious disease.
This is why the world is so fragmented, not just a story about games but all the story's the papers run, promoting intolerance and hate, blaming people instilling panic and fear that lead to nationalism and hatred. Open YOUR eyes ask yourself what do you believe about politicians,immigration,religion,poverty,wars, other country's now why do you think that?
He's a brilliant writer, I support him on Patreon. His videos about the history of video games are really entertaining.
Load More Replies... i don't respect journalism anymore... they push their own agenda and what they believed now regardless of the Truth.
Yet it is a mopre reliable source than social media. It is not possible to sit down for hours and read the scientific literature for every topic that you encounter...
Load More Replies... um, weekly world news started in the 1979. This stuff has been around for decades.
Yes, swifty, but now we have a dicktard in charge who benefited from the scourge that is unprecedented. Not only that, but people don't have the luxury of differentiating tabloid from legitimate news as c**p is passed around. Then there is media literacy. I know this is complex, I am sorry that it is and it's easy as f**k to think it's just the same old s**t, but it's not. Wake the f**k up.
Load More Replies... 
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