The Distinction Between Leaks, Hacks, and Investigative Journalism

A commonly cited quote, often attributed to notable figures such as George Orwell or William Randolph Hearst, states that "news is something that someone else does not want printed; everything else is advertising." While this quote is popular among journalists, it oversimplifies the complexities of determining what constitutes news. The fact that someone wants to suppress information does not automatically make it newsworthy. Sometimes, information is private or sensitive, and the criteria for determining its newsworthiness must be more nuanced. The recent leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6 footage and the revelation of NDA breaches by a YouTuber have reignited discussions about media ethics and the morals of leaking and disseminating sensitive information. These incidents have sparked a range of reactions, from those who view them as victories for transparency to those who believe that only official announcements should be reported. However, both extremes are flawed. Independence in reporting is essential for the industry, its workers, and consumers. Nevertheless, the recent leaks were obtained through hacking and false pretenses, and there is no public interest justification for releasing this information. The public interest defense can be invoked when information pertains to wrongdoing or harm. In contrast, leaking game announcement details or alpha footage does not serve the public interest, even if it may be interesting to the public. A troubling trend is the false equivalency being drawn between reporting on leaks and investigative reporting on issues like development crunch, abusive work practices, or corporate misconduct. This equivalency is used to argue that if it is acceptable to report on internal problems, it should also be acceptable to spread leaked information about games. However, this comparison is misguided. The ethical foundation for media reporting relies on the question of public interest, not on who is annoyed or upset by the news. Reporting on studio working conditions, troubled development processes, or corporate issues is clearly in the public interest, as it allows consumers and industry professionals to make informed decisions. In contrast, leaking game footage or announcement details provides no utility or benefit and may harm the staff working on the game. While consumers may be eager to see information early, and NDAs can sometimes be overly restrictive, they generally serve a useful purpose in allowing media outlets to access games and information ahead of time. Leaked pre-alpha footage may be intriguing, but it is essential for development teams to be able to share rough, unpolished pieces of code or assets without fear of public disclosure. Ultimately, the recent leaks, while not causing significant commercial harm, may have consequences such as making life harder for developers and damaging working relationships across the industry. Breaching confidences, whether through NDA breaches or network security compromises, is not justified by any public interest defense and damages everyone involved. It is essential to distinguish between these actions and genuine investigative reporting, which serves the public interest and promotes transparency and accountability.