I kinda mentioned it in my "what do you want this forum to be". But from only skimming across some of the threads there has been at least 3 if not more accounts that acted extremely sketchy while clearly not being impartial users. If they are employees, the marketing/sales team, hired shills or third party resellers that profit of selling through their stores or distributing their *software* in private (Discord) communities - I don't know. But it clearly wasn't declared and that seems strongly disingenuous and as far as I remember against the rules.
Without having the admin tools or writing down notes, you have to take any account that says something positive about a certain product or brand for a potential trap. So be careful what you even contribute yourself.
I am not against companies participating in this forum or even talking again their own products. But it shouldn't be in this form of faking to be an interested member. The whole giveaway story could have easily ended in 5 people 'winning' that actually are their own people. And the account saying their already have got units to test could be part of their scheme as well. While they likely hand out honest review samples, they also clearly engaged in wrongful conduct, so why trust them. Especially if they try and circumvent being declined.
"It's easier to beg for forgiveness then ask for permission" is a guiding stance in said jokingly in the filmmaking industry. But in this case it sounds like they asked for permission, got turned down and then lied and misrepresented themselves in an coordinated effort to steer public opinion.
So yeah, what are the ethics in tech journalism and how can it be done better? Recent discussion I listened to on the topic:
https://youtu.be/eBiTXzgAbgM