A study was recently released demonstrating that video games do not lead to sexist thinking. The media is not happy about this. News media, as they have done in the past connecting violence and video games, have been insistent lately that video games have a direct connection to the sexism in society. The media has always demonized entertainment forms such as gaming and film, pointing to them as the source of societies woes. But while scientific studies continue to relieve games and film of blame, they have actually done the opposite for journalism.

It turns out, the news has a greater effect on shaping public opinion and public ways of thinking than entertainment ever could. How the mainstream media interprets current events has a far greater effect on society and individuals. Even for a single person, the way the news is presented can impact an individuals mood and even how they view their own memories and traits. It’s been shown that while video games and film only effects you as far as you allow yourself to be affected, reading the news can actually increase your anger and aggression.

And of course it does. The news always presents the worst of society in the worst possible way. Everything is always wrong, because this is what people read. But the negative effects this has are brutal. The news has a far bigger impact on society. So if the news is the one constantly saying gaming is evil, gamers are sexist, and the industry is a terrible place for women, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. Even if that was never truly the case, it will quickly become the case.

The news also loves to demonize. At all times, the media requires a group to victimize and a group to use as the “bad guy”. Just as the media did with all Muslims following 9/11, with the Black Panther Party in the 80s, and at one point even with feminists. Todays bad guy are white men, but the treatment is the same. The news frames a picture, often with little evidence, in order to attract readers. But this black and white picture which ignores the reality of these groups has an actual negative impact on society.

But why does the news have such a heavy effect where entertainment doesn’t? Simple. We play video games and watch movies and listen to music for entertainment, but we don’t take it seriously. We know these aren’t based in reality. The news is presented as based in reality. “This is real life — these are true events!” they shout. We are taught to trust the news. So if the news is telling us that the gaming industry is a sexist hovel, we’re inclined to believe them.

Movements like #GamerGate exist to point this out, to expect better from these media sites given a delicate (but important) job to tell people about current events as they are actually happening, and to demand accountability from our journalists, who have actual effects on society.

Games don’t cause sexism. Movies don’t cause violence. Journalists cause both, if they don’t do their jobs right.