“Everyone” is a LOT of people. It’s not literal. But that should be obvious.
This post has been on the back of my mind for ages now. But more so in the last few months and it’s time someone talked about it.
I won’t call myself a journalist by title, but it’s a title “other” people have given me for news I’ve published.
Especially the type of news most sites avoid because of political correctness.
Some people have done real journalistic work. It deserves attention and spreading. #IStandWithVic #funileaks #Funimation https://t.co/OMeSbrjSFY
— EYaroslavski (@EYaroslavski) September 11, 2019
I’m a man of principles and the truth, regardless of how I feel or how it makes other people feel.
So in that sense: “journalism” has always been right up my alley.
That’s what journalism is supposed to be (without bias or agendas).
But “anime journalism” in 2020 is a running joke
The type of journalism we have in the anime community is disingenuous and insincere.
It’s more about getting clicks, views, attention by any means necessary, and claiming content as your own when it’s stolen from elsewhere.
It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about:
- anime).
- Anime news sites.
- Blogs.
Or any other form of “media” online. Because a portion of these groups are only in it for themselves, the agendas, and don’t care about the collective.
Even though we’re all promoting the same thing.
How modern-day anime journalism works:
1. Avoid referring to the “news source” at all costs
Funimation “Fired” Ishuzoku Reviewers Translator, Forced To Sign NDA (Rumor) https://t.co/RBtq1xnUy9 #animemotivation
—
Anime Motivation (@AnimeMotivate) February 1, 2020
Over 4-5 days ago I published this news piece:
Funimation “Fired” Ishuzoku Reviewers Translator, Forced To Sign NDA (Rumor)
I broke the news on Funimation and the rumor (from their forums) about a translator being fired. And being forced to sign an NDA to avoid legal troubles.
Knowing Funimation this wouldn’t be surprising if true, but that’s besides the point.
Soo that’s the real reason behind Canceling the anime (Ishuzoku Reviewers) 🤔https://t.co/GmcDt1C5QS pic.twitter.com/HcUiqIOMDk
— Ahmad yousef salman (@Ahmadyusufsalm2) February 2, 2020
@Kneon @RealClownfishTV This rabbit hole keeps on goin further and further looks like IF THIS INFO IS CORRECT Funimation REALLY wants to sweep Interspecies Reviewers under the rug.https://t.co/PoMZfHBso1 https://t.co/7aw07OXWj9
— Chaotickeyblade (@chaotickeyblade) February 2, 2020
Well, @FUNimation… Got an explanation? What else have you tried (or have) swept under the rug?https://t.co/cNdoUdRMLo
— Jordan C Stewart (@J_C_Stewart) February 3, 2020
As we can clearly see from the dates – the article was doing the rounds on
Including:
- Kiwifarms (forum)
And 10000’s of views have passed through the site for that article.
While I don’t have a personal problem with these YouTubers, one trend I can’t respect is creating content and passing it off as original.
Especially when in this case there’s NO link to the original news source that spoke about this on the internet.
And there’s not a single mention in the video either.
In the case of this YouTube channel – I can respect the “mention” in the video (from Feb 3rd) and the fact he read the news directly from Anime Motivation.
Comic Geek Some is the channel (I appreciate the shout out).
Even ANN gets it right, of all sites
And yet a shocking amount of YouTube channels NEVER link to the original source. Almost as if they wanna keep “everything” to themselves.
Or they’re afraid of people “clicking the link” and never coming back.
This YouTuber had no problem linking back to the original source (even if it’s ANN). And yet so many don’t link back to the original source at all.
I notice a trend of “smaller” channels linking back more often, and LARGER or moderate channels never bothering to link back. Or even mention where their “original news” was sourced from.
YouTube channels are the sloppiest for “anime journalism”
Even CBR – a site known for its SJW-nonsense links or mentions the original source.
I can only wonder why this is so common, and why no one wants to talk about it.
2. Push agendas instead of reporting facts
As the headline shows:
“CBR CALLS ANIME FANS TROLLS FOR REJECTING SJW PROPAGANDA”.
This is the TYPICAL style of so-called journalism you see in media today. Not just in the anime industry.
CBR is one media outlet that swims in the waters of propaganda, to push a narrative in the anime community. And other topics they report news on.
anime.
In the article above – the facts are twisted, bent, and manipulated to push a narrative.
Even the comments section is locked to avoid backlash or anyone “speaking against” it.
Censorship at its finest.
And in this video by IGN – it’s pushing an agenda based on US SJW logic and pandering.
As one person puts it on Reddit:
[divider]“The entire video is about warping your perception about accepting diversity in anime.”
Anime Feminist is no better either.
While the site has good intentions, there’s a lot of BS and pandering going on to fit a certain narrative.
In their review of Shield Hero, they say:
[divider][divider]“We will not be reviewing The Rising of the Shield Hero premiere here at Anime Feminist.”
They then go on to say:
[divider][divider]“I watched the episode, and it was worse than I had imagined. I have never seen a series with such a deeply held, misanthropic victim mentality.
I contemplated how to approach the review.
I thought about pretending to review it from an incel point-of-view, but that felt a little too close to the truth.
I thought about writing with vitriol and rage, but that honestly felt pointless.
Our readers know why a series hinging on a false rape accusation and slavery apologism is wrong; going into hysterics over it would only bring greater attention to it and give our detractors vindictive glee.”
What this translates to in plain English:
[divider][divider]“Shield Hero touches on a TRUTH about false accusations against Men today, and because I’m a feminist – it’s not something I’m comfortable admitting to.”
[divider]You should let @OneAngryGamerHD and others know about this because this is the type of behavior that needs to be called for . They’re job is to talk about Anime not spreading propaganda it’s just like Anime feminist who refuse to review Sheild hero properly
— Treavor GornintheUSA Calkum (@TCalkum) February 6, 2019
A common goal
At the end of the day – we’re all trying to do one thing: promote anime.
That’s a COMMON goal we all share as anime sites, journalists, bloggers, businesses and so on.
The promotion of anime is what we have in common.
So all this:
- Propaganda
- Agendas
- Pushing narratives
- Passing off content as your own
- Ignoring the original source
And every other bit of BS doesn’t make any sense when it’s a collective effort to promote anime.
Me saying that and calling people out on their BS won’t change it though.
But collectively it’s necessary to call sh*t out when it happens. ME included.
None of this should be happening at the level it does, but… that’s the reality.
This is “modern” journalism in the anime community.
Principles don’t matter, and only a few relevant influencers, big or small, have any standards left to their name. If at all.
Recommended:
Anime Double Standards: How Men And Women Are Treated Differently
The Rise Of Anime Culture Vultures Infiltrating The Industry (In The Last Decade)
