This is just hilarious to me. This shit has been going on for so long, its not a new phenomenon whatsoever.
The reality is there's no way of stopping it. Games "journalism" (which has always been a stretch, but never mind) is an industry based on opinions not facts. The bar is set really low which is why the incompetents, cynics, and shills are so numerous.
You want to get a more favourable opinion for your product (and lets face it, who wouldn't) you are extra "nice" in some way to the hacks. Is paying them somehow worse than sucking up to them and making them feel "special" so you get a few extra points?
Junkets, goodie-bags, special access visits, etc... is anyone honestly going to say these things are provided to further the cultural "truth", rather than the bleeding obvious which is to shape opinions in a favourable manner?
This happens with every form of media, and because a pissed-off journo is potentially harmful to your profits its always going to happen.