SXSW is working with local investigators to determine the credibility of threats leveled against two gaming-focused panels whose cancellation has outraged attendees, panelists and media companies who on Tuesday said they were pulling out of the Austin, Texas-based tech conference.
"The safety of our speakers, participants and staff is always our top priority. We are working with local law enforcement to assess the various threats received regarding these sessions," a posted statement on the SXSW site read. "Moving forward, we are also evaluating several programming solutions as we continue to plan for an event that will be safe, meaningful and enjoyable for all involved."
One of the canceled panels, titled "Level Up: Overcoming Harassment In Games," was specifically meant to discuss the kinds of threats that have hounded the gaming space in the last couple of years, many of which are aimed at women and people of color. It was canceled Monday because of " numerous threats of on-site violence related to this programming."
The other panel, titled "SavePoint: A Discussion on the Gaming Community", featured panelists from the other side of the gaming political spectrum. Along with journalist Lynn Walsh, it featured Open Gaming Society founder Perry Jones, adult entertainment star and game designer Mercedes Carrera and independent game developer Nick Robalik. The lot share connections with GamerGate, including Walsh, who spoke at GamerGate-sanctioned event Airplay in August.
Both BuzzFeed and Vox Media made public statements Tuesday, each declaring they would not send reporters to cover SXSW and would pull staff from panels they were scheduled to speak on. Vox Media president Jim Bankoff was scheduled to be a featured speaker at SXSW.
BuzzFeed said they had staff on about a half a dozen panels; Vox staff, which included reporters from The Verge, Re/Codeand Polygon, were on seven panels. Neither organization said they had definite plans to host a party at the tech conference.
BuzzFeed said in its letter to SXSW:
We will feel compelled to withdraw them if the conference can’t find a way to do what those other targets of harassment do every day -- to carry on important conversations in the face of harassment. We hope you can support the principle of free speech and engage a vital issue facing us and other constituents on the event.
In the day since that decision was announced by SXSW, the conference's organizers have been mum -- save the unattributed statement. Austin American-Statesman technology reporter Omar Gallaga called the move unprecedented in his memory.
"i’ve never heard of threats made over panels like this and panels canceled for that reason," Gallaga told Mashable. "They’ve certainly dealt with controversy and heightened security. They recently had Princess Reema, Al Gore, Chelsea Clinton."
Those who have spoken out on controversial topics in gaming -- including GamerGate and sexism in the industry -- have often received threats at public speaking events. A GamerGate-related threat caused feminist critic Anita Sarkeesian to cancel a speaking event at the University of Utah last year, after the school refused to ban weapons in the auditorium after Sarkeesian received threats. But Sarkeesian has spoken at other conferences, including Porland's XOXO, as well as at universities around the country.
Game developer Brianna Wu -- who has spoken out against harassment in gaming over the last year -- said she frequently speaks at conferences, and makes them aware beforehand.
I have spoken all over the world this year. Threats are routine. I've never had an event cancel due to it. They just add extra security.— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) October 26, 2015
Randi Harper, who was due to speak on the "LevelUp" panel, said they had tried to communicate those same considerations to SXSW.
We privately expressed concern about our safey and outlined measures for ensuring our panel go smoothly.— Randi Lee Harper (@randileeharper) October 27, 2015
This is being responsible/proactive for our own safety, because we don't expect conference organizers to understand the situation w/o help.— Randi Lee Harper (@randileeharper) October 27, 2015