Arthur Kostopoulous, a game reviewer for OXCGN, has been suspended from both it and his paying Vodafone job after some of his tweets made headlines.
An article in the Sydney Morning Herald outlines offensive tweets made by Kostopolous about co-workers and customers at Vodafone, and goes on to list further examples of inappropriate comments made earlier in the year.
The comments were then contrasted with Kostopolous' Facebook profile, in which he describes his 'social media expert' role at Vodafone and qualifications for it as being due to his skill with Gen Y technology and communications.
Kostopolous, 21, has told MCV that in spite of Vodafone referring to his 'social media expert' title as self-appointed, it was based off an email he received from Vodafone shortly after he began his employment. He says he was not contacted for a comment prior to the article going live.
Vodafone told SMH it was 'disappointed' with Kostopolous' views, and that they did not reflect those of the company.
OXCGN, the community game review site where Kostopolous has been a volunteer writer for several years, has suspended him as they look into the issue.
A statement on OXCGN's Facebook page reads: "OXCGN and its editorial staff do not endorse or support Arthur Kotsopoulos' personal statements on twitter or Facebook. He has been suspended effective immediately from all site duties while we discuss this issue."
The statement then notes Kostopolous' status as an unpaid volunteer, and stresses that "statements of the sort being reported would never be permitted on the site."
Other game journalists are currently expressing their support for Kostopolous in comments on the statement, to which OXCGN describes the move as 'standard procedure' until it has looked into the matter.
Kostopolous told MCV: "I understand the consequences now will be great and I have to face up to my actions one way or another. There's nothing that I can do right now apart from take it on the chin and handle it in a very adult manner."
"These comments were of my own views and insights and were never representative of the company I work for, Vodafone. Facebook and Twitter were a way that I could express my frustration in light of recent circumstances that I was involved in. They were never intended to hurt or harm any particular individual or group."
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