Ya know, you say that sex isn't currency, but I've seen folks treat it an awful lot like money. Fuck the professor, get good grades. Fuck your boss, keep from getting fired. Fuck a politician, get their vote or even get famous enough to get a book deal so you can seal your financial success for the rest of your life. If you claim "sex is just a means to an end," then...so is money. Money is a means to get food, shelter, water, and pretty much everything but the air you breathe. There are more forms of currency than just money.
Also, gaming journalism has been corrupt since long before it became a big thing in the internet. Hell, journalism in general has been fucked for generations. It'd be nice if all journalists were honest, hard-working people who wouldn't take a bribe, but alas, we live in the real world. However, calling this bullshit out when it happens is perfectly acceptable, if you ask me. Shine a light on the mold, maybe you'll do some damage to it.