MMMM # 189 The Writer's Words

     I caught a headline in a FOX story online that made me go to read the article..it was the use of a term I had not heard before...the first two words in the story:

Life groups are hailing an opinion by an Alabama Supreme Court justice who argued that it's time to abandon the viability standard used in Roe v. Wade because medical breakthroughs -- backed by case law and legislation -- have shown a fetus is only as viable as the technology monitoring it.

You can read the entire story here.

     When did "Pro-Life" become just plain "life"? Does that mean the other side will be called...death groups? Choice groups? I'll be interested to see what they select.

     Words have meaning, or course, and the ones used by journalists are especially important.
     If a government comes up with a name for a military engagement, like "Operation Defeat Tyranny", the writer become a part of the state's effort to sell that war when he uses the phrase beyond, perhaps, a first story about the name itself.
     The word hero has been so watered down in the years since 9-11 that it is virtually meaningless now. Someone who serves in the military or as as a paramedic or police officer or firefighter isn't automatically a hero. They earn that title once they have performed an exceptional act. Most of the civilians killed in the World Trade Towers weren't heros...unless they would have agreed to be inside knowing in advance what was to happen.
     Lawmakers are fond of giving their bills names that are so patriotic and worthy-sounding that news copy begins to sound like endorsements if the chosen names are used.
    Political  parties love choosing new names for stuff they don't approve of, like the label "Obamacare", which is virtually spit out of the mouth when used by critics. Reporters who use it are doing the same---perhaps without any actual spit.
     The language wars have been going on longer than any of the actual shooting wars...Frank Luntz wrote the rule book several years ago, which includes a list of words NOT to use and the appropriate replacement. #14
                
                            NEVER SAY Inheritance/Estate Tax.     SAY The Death Tax
     Propaganda language is fine for political operatives, but it becomes troubling when reporters start using it.

[PLUS: The WSJ reported last week that over-the-air TV is becoming more popular, because people are quitting cable as a cost-saving measure, and because they're learning about popular broadcast shows online...kind of a snake-swallowing its tail story, since the broadcasters have been concerned about the flow of programs to online.]


[The Monday Morning Media Memo is a regular feature of this website.]