At WAANI, we take great pride in upholding an integrity and ethical journalism policy within the video game industry. We understand the importance of providing objective and unbiased reporting, especially when addressing sensitive subjects.
We will delve into our commitment to transparency, adherence to FTC guidelines, and dedication to maintaining a high standard of editorial independence.
Objective Reporting and Ethical Guidelines
Our foremost commitment is to deliver objective reporting to our readers. We firmly believe in maintaining professionalism and avoiding personal attacks against individuals, companies, or colleagues within our industries. We focus on presenting accurate and balanced information that allows our readers to form their own opinions.
FTC Compliance and Video Game Reviews
To ensure transparency, our video game reviews adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). We make it a point to specify the platform on which the game was played, enabling readers to understand the context of the review.
Additionally, we disclose whether a review copy was provided to us, ensuring transparency regarding potential influences on the review process.
Disclosure of Accommodations and Relationships
We must disclose any accommodations we receive from PR companies, publishers, or developers during events. Transparency in these matters is crucial to maintaining our readers’ trust.
Our disclaimers and disclosures are prominently displayed, providing complete visibility into any relationships or associations between us and the entities we cover.
Maintaining Editorial Independence
To ensure the integrity of our editorial and critical content, we operate our game reviewers and previewers/interviewers separately from our developer access and relationships and our monetization teams.
This clear separation ensures that our reviewers are not influenced by external factors, allowing them to provide unbiased assessments of the games they cover.
Attribution and Sourcing
We believe in giving credit where it is due and providing linkbacks to sources. However, in cases where the assets or news come directly from official studio sources or their PR affiliates, we may forgo linkbacks if the information is readily available and easily verifiable by our readers.
Nevertheless, we diligently contact and seek permission from artists when using non-official art or similar materials, ensuring respect for intellectual property rights.
Handling of Spoilers
Respecting embargoes is of utmost importance to us. We understand the significance of preserving the excitement and surprise within the gaming community. We only reveal spoilers with permission or after a game’s release.
When spoilers are included during the release window, we always provide a clear warning at the beginning of the article. Major or sensitive spoilers are deliberately kept from headlines and images to prevent inadvertent exposure.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of video game reporting, we at WAANI remain committed to upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity. Our dedication to objective reporting, transparency, and editorial independence sets us apart.
We strive to provide our readers with comprehensive and unbiased coverage while always respecting the interests and experiences of the gaming community.
For any corrections or update requests, please do not hesitate to contact our editorial team at [email protected]. We value your feedback and are continuously working towards improving our content and the overall user experience.