Special Statement: Establishing a Sensitivity Rule

How We Will Handle Leaks and Related Stories Going Forward

Today, the staff of TSSZ News would like to share with you a new policy that goes into effect immediately.  It is a policy that some may appreciate, while others may not, and that is why we are sharing it with you publicly.

Before explaining what the policy is, a preface: You may have noticed that TSSZ News has removed Tuesday’s stories concerning the video leak of a Sonic 4 alpha build.  The decision was mine, and it was made independently, without any 3rd party influence by Sega or anybody else.

In recent months much has been made elsewhere regarding this site and the concept of respect, and more specifically, allegations claiming our lack of it.  It has become popular to chastise how we report the news, regardless of relevance or insight, and pass it off as disrespectful toward the topics we cover.  This has become more prevalent as we’ve broken big stories related to leaks on upcoming games, be they the result of official missteps, or more unsavory releases.

I disagree with these tactics, especially since I have found the majority of those criticizing our newsgathering methods prefer to privately hold themselves to fluid, arbitrary standards on the same issues.  With few exceptions, we have chartered a different course, and we have remained consistent.  It has to this point been the long standing policy of TSSZ News not to retract stories, no matter how sensitive, except in the case of a factual error.  That still rings true; consider this new policy an addendum to that philosophy, rather than a replacement.

By the same token, it is clear that many of you, our readers, are expressing concern with how we cover stories related to leaks or possible leaks of sensitive material, as opposed to criticism.  The joke, of late, has been that people are reading to see how long Sega or others can tolerate us before pursuing litigation, with this site serving as the poster child for a calamitous recession of the community at large.  I do not wish for such a thing to occur.

I believe there is tremendous news value in reporting on leaks or alleged leaks, as well as other sensitive material.  Much of what we’ve reported in 2010 that falls in this category has been the result of independent research, or primary accounts from anonymous tipsters.  You have made clear that such research is appreciated, and should never be held back in the name of appeasement.  But I also understand, especially with what we cover daily, that there is a fine line between journalism and arrogance.

It is my belief, by executing this policy without discrimination, that we can preserve the reporting you value, and toss the arrogance many have accused us of possessing.

So today, I am announcing the Sensitivity Rule.

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Effective immediately, newsworthy but sensitive materials published on TSSZ News will automatically remain online for a pre-determined, finite period, if widespread efforts are underway to suppress the material at other news sources. I have briefed TSSZ News staff on what that specific time period is, as I have done with a few other community members in private.  However, I have decided not to publicly disclose it.

The period will apply from the time of a story’s original publication.  If, after such period has passed, the qualifications for retraction have not been fully met, the story will remain permanently published.

Here are those qualifications.

This rule will be in effect regardless of whether we receive a cease and desist on a story or not.  The term “widespread” will be subject to the jurisdiction of the staff member who published the story.

The rule will apply to secondary and some primary source material sent into us via News Tips, anonymously or otherwise, or materials found elsewhere.  So, if we were forwarded sensitive material first published elsewhere, we will publish it, but if successful efforts were made to eradicate the story on the primary source or on other sites who picked up on it, our story will exist only for a certain period.

The rule will not apply to primary source material that results from independent research.  This includes materials sent in via a news tip that is not publicly available anywhere else, or materials we independently check and research via our own sources.  So, if we were given sensitive materials or details that haven’t already been made available through other channels, and it’s on the record, this rule would not take effect.  In short: if we find it first, the story stands.

The rule will not apply if the materials were obtained from other readily available material.  So, anything from an early upload of materials or details to poor coding on a website will not be subject to this rule.

Finally, the rule will not apply to fan works, of any kind.

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In establishing these guidelines, it is our hope to cultivate not just balance and sensibility in our hard news reporting, but mutual respect between you, us, and the people behind the stories we cover.  I firmly believe we will be better equipped, under this policy, to break even more stories.  Do not believe for one second that this site’s news philosophy is suddenly becoming soft, or that we’re at the mercy of Sega employees.  We are not.  The company had no role in this amendment, and if they had, I would not have enacted it on conflict of interest grounds.  They are likely learning of this just as you are.

In establishing these guidelines publicly, we invite you to hold us accountable under these terms, just as we intend to hold ourselves accountable.  I completely understand the risks involved in disclosing our new rule, but I believe it is more important that all are clearly aware of how we operate, as we continue to evolve.  Furthermore, I call on all critics and competitors of this site, when appropriate, to establish their own guidelines in reporting sensitive materials, and share it with their audience.  If you truly believe in respect for who and what you cover, now is the time to prove it.

We welcome your thoughts and comments on this new policy below, in our discussion area.