GameJournoPros

GameJournoPros is a now-defunct private Google Group consisting of 150 writers, bloggers, and editors from various game news sites and media outlets. The mailing list, group members, and various leaked email conversations have sparked online discussion in the video game community regarding writer collusion and journalistic integrity in the ongoing Gamergate controversy.
The group's existence, and the veracity of the email leaks, have been verified by the group's creator, Ars Technica Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland.
GameJournoPros, according to Orland in one of the leaks, was inspired by JournoList, a private Google Group consisting of several journalists and academics, the media exposure of which resulted in Washington Post reporter David Weigel's resignation.
Initial Coverage
GameJournoPros was first reported by Breitbart writer Milo Yiannopoulos, who detailed an email conversation leaked by an anonymous GameJournoPros member. Yiannopoulos later posted the full email conversation dump on his personal website.
In these emails, Orland discussed ongoing controversy and harassment surrounding Kotaku Writer Nathan Grayson and game developer Zoe Quinn, suggesting that the group members use the controversy "as an excuse to give more attention to work." Orland also suggested the group collaborate on a public letter of support for Quinn sign by "as many sympathetic journalists/developers" as possible. Polygon writer Ben Kuchera and GamePolitics editor James Fudge unsuccessfully attempted to convince The Escapist Editor-in Chief Greg Tito to censor the site's forum discussion regarding Quinn. A few of the group members dissented with Orland's suggestion, including Game Informer News Editor Mike Futter, who cited "professional distance" and recused himself from reaching "across the fence from journalist to subject."
In the following month, three other email conversations were leaked detailing the group's response to the initial leak the relationship between journalists and PR and the group's closing shortly after the initial leak.
Following the first email leak, the GameJournoPros member list was leaked by one of its members, Cinema Blend writer Willliam Usher. In an interview with APG Nation, Usher stated his reasons for leaking the list and supporting GamerGate, that "ome of the members on that list actively used their platform to support and propagate a wide-sweeping media narrative based on lies and factual inaccuracies."
Response from GameJournoPros Members
The authenticity of the leak was verified by group creator, Ars Technica Senior Editor Kyle Orland, who apologized for making statements in the conversation that he "soon came to regret." Orland denied the allegations of collusion, stating that GameJournoPros "has never had litmus tests, partisan slant, or other viewpoint-based membership criteria," and that "Ars Technica management did not know of the list's existence."
Polygon Editor-in-Chief Christopher Grant, also addressing concerns of writer collusion and media bias in an editor's letter, stated that discussions regarding ethics and disclosures were common on the group, and that most of the group's members often disagreed with one another.
GamePolitics.com editor James Fudge has stated that he neither regrets his participation in GameJournoPros nor will apologize for any of his private statements "that were made public by former members that lack integrity, decency, loyalty, or honor.". Fudge detailed his conversation with Escapist Editor-in-Chief Greg Tito over an Escapist forum discussion regarding Kotaku writer Nathan Grayson's relationship with game developer Zoe Quinn. Tito disagreed with Fudge's suggestion to close the thread.
Destructoid Editor-in-Chief Dale North announced his resignation October 21, citing disagreement with the actions of Destructoid management, along with his discomfort attaching his name to Destructoid staff. North did not specify GamerGate or GameJournoPros in his resignation.

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