Bias at EnWorld?

[Belen]

Is there a bias here at EnWorld?

Let me start by saying that I love EnWorld. In fact, I recently bought a supporter account because I felt bad for using the boards so much and not helping to keep running them.

However, like all familes, we can disagree. I was wondering, though, if anyone else felt the same way. I just finished reading the news for the day. There was a definite slant in the reporting that portrayed the new D20 license change in a poor light. When I read about the change yesterday, I was very much against WOTC's change, until I had time to think about it, and realize that I did not find the changes as bad as some others seemed to think they would be.

And I see no where in the news that the license change has been planned for the last year! And this has been confirmed by Anthony Valterra (he was trying to rush a certain book ahead of the change!)

However, both news stories about the change are heavily biased against WOTC. Instead of reporting on the license change and letting us make the decision, we get a very negative opinion on the impact. I have noticed such things in the news before, but it never really bothered me before, but I decided to call attention to it now.

Sometimes it feels like there is a definite bias here at EnWorld. Some ideas are just not as "acceptable" as others, even when stated within the bounds of Eric's grandma.

I have seen very rational arguments against certain books, be flamed to the ground, with the rational people rather than the flamers blamed.

Maybe it is just that the idea of being unbiased or having rational debates is passe these days.

Dave

 

[Joshua Randall]

Keep in mind that this is a fan site, not a news site. As such all the news reporting here has an inherent bias.

Not that the mainstream news outlets are free of bias, either. They're just more subtle about it.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I don't think bias is a good word. News and informations at ENWorld are options, it is a view, and the writers are not held to a standard, other than good taste, they are not reporters, just gamers with an interest.

 

[Harlock]

Is there a bias here at EnWorld?

Let me start by saying that I love EnWorld. In fact, I recently bought a supporter account because I felt bad for using the boards so much and not helping to keep running them.

However, like all familes, we can disagree. I was wondering, though, if anyone else felt the same way. I just finished reading the news for the day. There was a definite slant in the reporting that portrayed the new D20 license change in a poor light. When I read about the change yesterday, I was very much against WOTC's change, until I had time to think about it, and realize that I did not find the changes as bad as some others seemed to think they would be.

And I see no where in the news that the license change has been planned for the last year! And this has been confirmed by Anthony Valterra (he was trying to rush a certain book ahead of the change!)

However, both news stories about the change are heavily biased against WOTC. Instead of reporting on the license change and letting us make the decision, we get a very negative opinion on the impact. I have noticed such things in the news before, but it never really bothered me before, but I decided to call attention to it now.

Sometimes it feels like there is a definite bias here at EnWorld. Some ideas are just not as "acceptable" as others, even when stated within the bounds of Eric's grandma.

I have seen very rational arguments against certain books, be flamed to the ground, with the rational people rather than the flamers blamed.

Maybe it is just that the idea of being unbiased or having rational debates is passe these days.

Dave

Maybe it is a passe idea. Every news station is sensational. Even the major players show obvious politcal leanings, which is QUITE contrary to what I was instructed as being ethical in College Journalism courses just 4 years ago. People change. Some things never change however; sex, scandal and indignant rage sells papers and gets more attention than rationalism sometimes. I guess that's just life. As far as people having a leaning, I can see where EN World would feel a certain way about the new d20STL.

Having said that, I am also happy to say that Russ is not doing this for profit anymore so if he wants to put his spin on his site on his news page, then more power to him. Like you said, it's sort of a family. Sure, we'll bicker and disagree, but we're still together and we are still united by a common bond. Gaming that is, not blood.

 

[diaglo]

i find the news here much like the reviews. but i take what i want and leave the rest.

 

[Teflon Billy]

Is there a bias here at EnWorld?

[/b]

There's bias everywhere man...EN World is no different

I just finished reading the news for the day. There was a definite slant in the reporting that portrayed the new D20 license change in a poor light. When I read about the change yesterday, I was very much against WOTC's change, until I had time to think about it, and realize that I did not find the changes as bad as some others seemed to think they would be.

Then you have achieved your stated goal: You considered the given information and drew your won conclusion.

The idea that there is ever an unbiased statement in media is crazy, forget the statement itself, the fact that certain staements are made or not made shows the bias of the reporter or the editorial staff.

Bias is not a bad thing, I myself am biased against the views of white supremacists, pedophiles and wife beaters, and were i to do a report on any of their views, my bias would likely cast its shadow over the piece.

In this case, I drew my conclusion after reading the opinions of people whose opinions I respect who have more insight into the situation that I do (Ryan Dancey for the most part, but others as well).

You've done the same thing (it would seem that you trust Anthony Valterra's commentary as much as I do), and it has affected your opinion on the news.

However, both news stories about the change are heavily biased against WOTC. Instead of reporting on the license change and letting us make the decision, we get a very negative opinion on the impact.

Yet somehow, you managed to make a decision contrary to the bias you saw. Mission accomplished.

Sometimes it feels like there is a definite bias here at EnWorld. Some ideas are just not as "acceptable" as others, even when stated within the bounds of Eric's grandma.

That communities develop standards cannot be news to you. The prevailing culture here at En World is biased toward the third-party D20 Publishers. Ever has it been and ever shall it be. The 3rd party folks are present, active and helpful. When the core of the license that allows them to prosper is changed to protect a monolithic corporation, then yes, you can expect bias to lean in support of the people we know.

This is a community. Communities rally around their members. It's the way of the world (or it should be).

I have seen very rational arguments against certain books, be flamed to the ground, with the rational people rather than the flamers blamed.

Me too. it happens all the time. I've seen people expressing unpopular opinions get slammed more than once (hi Snoweel ).

Hell, I've been the slamee more than once (Hi Piratecate )

But in the final analysis, to pretend (or expect) that community standards should not reflect the community that creates them is a hard statement to get behind.

Maybe it is just that the idea of being unbiased or having rational debates is passe these days.

You'll win no points by placing yourself as the one free thinker in Stepford man Lots of people here hold opinions contrary to the majority. They are allowed to express them at will (so long as Eric's Grandma doesn't bring the hammer down...fascist ol' lady )

But nobody has to agree with them. If you have a point, try and make it. People can be swayed. But to imply that the starting point for your argument should be moved somewhere other than where the prevailing sentiment places it is not going to win you any converts.

 

[Morrus]

I guess one man's bias is another's opinion. I think it's odd that anyone can look at the main page and claim that EN World is biased against WotC - EN World is, 90%, a WotC fan site and I spend a lot of time promoting WotC stuff!

I wrote the news item last night, and I've been out of town since. I've only become aware that AV has said anything just now (from your post above). I'll look for that later (unless someone wants to point me at it).

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

i find the news here much like the reviews. but i take what i want and leave the rest.

I think that hits the nail right on the head.

Everybody and everything has a bias. It’s just part of being human.

 

[Belen]

I agree with you on most counts, Diaglo, except that nasty bent towards older editions.

Of course, I love to argue/ debate, so my natural proclivities tend to be used more than often here at EnWorld where I can hang out with people who share more in common with me than "normals."

However, I intend to play a wait an see game with WOTC. I have participated in more than my fair share of "sky (WOTC) is falling arguments" and I am usually wrong about the demise of the hobby anyway.

However, a little less bias in the new could be a good thing, imo.

Dave

 

[Nightfall]

Is En World Biased? Well depends...I mean more biased than say some of the people out in the real world? Probably not. More biased than me? Very doubtful! (No I'm not THAT biased but I am hardly unbiased either. )