Kotaku, the (somehow, still somewhat) popular gaming news site, has found itself once again at the center of a scandal involving one of its writers, Luke Plunkett, who recently published the article "Everything We’re Learning About Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom From The Leaks."
Plunkett made headlines when he followed up that article by tweeting a deeply offensive statement comparing being blacklisted by Nintendo to killing Nazis and bombing the Japanese. Although the tweet was quickly deleted, it continues to spread across social media, causing outrage and embarrassment for Kotaku and the journalism industry at large.
In his (now deleted) tweet, Plunkett not only displayed an appalling lack of sensitivity by drawing a comparison between his professional woes and the suffering of millions of people during World War II, but he also insinuated that his blacklisting warranted a violent response against Japanese people. This mentality is abhorrent and has no place in journalism, let alone in society. ESPECIALLY from someone who supposedly is a "professional" journalist working in a "professional" environment.
This is an embarrassment of epic Kotaku proportions.
Plunkett's tweet is yet another knock on Kotaku's reputation, further damaging the credibility of gaming journalism. It is particularly disappointing as the gaming industry has made strides in recent years to promote inclusivity and understanding across cultures. By employing a writer who makes such offensive statements, Kotaku is undermining these efforts and contributing to a toxic culture that many in the industry have been working to change.
Journalism, as a whole, is also tarnished by Plunkett's tweet. The media has a responsibility to report fairly, accurately, and with sensitivity to the subjects it covers. Plunkett's tweet demonstrates a blatant disregard for these principles, and his actions should be condemned. Journalists, as public figures, must be held to a higher standard of conduct, and their words can have a profound impact on their readers and the communities they serve.
In light of this incident, Kotaku and other media outlets should take this opportunity to evaluate their editorial standards and the values they uphold. It is crucial to hold writers accountable for their words and actions, as they represent not only their publication but the journalism industry as a whole. This includes ensuring that writers receive proper training on responsible reporting, as well as implementing editorial oversight to prevent the publication of offensive and insensitive content. I'm not calling for them to fire him, but at the same time, there's no way I would employ someone who holds these standards and represented my organization publicly.
The gaming community and journalism industry must come together to condemn Plunkett's tweet and work towards fostering a more inclusive and understanding environment. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of words and the importance of responsible journalism.
~Smash
Luke took the 'coward's exit' on twitter and went private. Also, I think it says a lot about someone when they say "for the record" and then immediately try to take back what they said.