Even in the land of the free (United States), journalism is facing a brutal reality check. Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath, shares his insights in this exclusive interview.
Niche Media Outlets
Grayson’s firsthand encounters with The Washington Post are notably concerning. Poor management and a seemingly disinterested owner (Jeff Bezos, in this case) have led to its apparent disintegration.
“You look at something like The Washington Post, which a handful of years ago seemed to be unassailable. It’s a household name, so how can it go away? But it seems to be disintegrating now, in part because of poor management, in part, because Jeff Bezos just doesn’t seem to really care about it anymore.”
– Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath
Grayson emphasizes the struggles encountered by niche and smaller media outlets that do not have the same financial backing as major media corporations. A significant loss of seasoned reporters and expertise leads to the collapse of smaller media. Experienced journalists, taking their knowledge and expertise with them, are forced to leave the field. This, in turn, weakens the overall quality of journalism. New blood lacks the mentorship needed to thrive, leaving them vulnerable to the pitfalls of the profession.
“IGN, probably going to be okay. The New York Times, probably going to be okay. But everything below that level of the biggest publication in covering a specific field or covering a specific interest, will not make it.”
– Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath
Journalism via Social Media?
Social media throws another wrench into the mix. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer exciting avenues for content creation but also raise serious concerns about quality control and misinformation. While acknowledging their potential, Grayson highlights how frequently user-generated content lacks journalistic reliability.
“I think a lot of people who tried to do journalism on YouTube and TikTok are quite bad at it. But that’s also because the problem with institutions disappearing is that you lose institutional knowledge. The big problem in all of this is that these more traditional institutions where you could learn how to do things, and that would also fund people’s ability to do those things, are going away. ”
– Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath
Journalism, at its core, holds powerful institutions – from corporations to governments – accountable. With fewer journalists dedicated to investigative reporting and fierce critiques, powerful entities face less scrutiny, potentially leading to abuses of power.
Consolidation of Power
Giant companies like IGN are gobbling up smaller outlets, and that kind of media consolidation can mean trouble. Why? When one corporation controls the majority of gaming websites, it can start flexing its muscles and influencing what you see (or don’t see) about your favourite games.
Even if the writer thinks a game is a total flop, they’re stuck keeping their criticism under wraps. This, according to Grayson, is a prime example of how corporate ownership can silence critical voices and create major conflicts of interest for journalists.
The more media outlets get swallowed by a few big fish, the less diverse the gaming journalism landscape becomes. We could end up with a boring, one-size-fits-all kind of content, where critical voices are pushed aside, and corporate agendas take center stage, leaving gamers in the dust.
Uncertain Future
Despite the uncertain future, Grayson and Aftermath cling to hope. Independent outlets like Aftermath represent an alternative to the corporate-driven model, offering a glimmer of optimism. However, financial sustainability remains a major hurdle:
“My goal right now is for Aftermath to become sustainable, to become something that can pay us all a decent wage. And then if that happens, I’m going to do this forever, or at least until the wheels fall off. But if that still hasn’t materialized in a year or two, then I would maybe entertain the option of going and just working an easier job than this because it’s definitely really, really stressful.”
The future of journalism may be uncertain, but Grayson’s insights offer a clear view of the industry’s challenges and opportunities. The decline of traditional media, the rise of social media, and the need for accountability – are the issues that will continue to shape how news is delivered in the years to come.
For Nathan Grayson’s complete insights on journalism and the gaming industry, read the full interview here.
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