Whoa, is this Word Loaded?
...age is used in journalism it changes undistorted fact into opinion. When searching for the right words to use in an article it is easy to use the wrong words. Of the different type of wrong words, loaded ones do far more damage and they do it subtly. To choose objective language the writer must have mature self-awareness and they editor must be vigilant, for only neutral language can give readers an undistorted view of reality. When writers defend the loaded phrasing many say it is more colorful or interesting, even though it is skewed. A reputable newspaper does not want to run a biased copy, and no reporter should want to write such a one. Journalists have their own feelings and opinions, though they must not allow those feelings to obstruct their ability to report accurately. Objective writers try not to build their personal bias into their articles, and objective editors should be ever on the watch for loaded language. Readers have the right to their own opinions without first having to filter out the bias of someone else’s perceptions. If a reporter is lampooning a public figure it may be funny and interesting, the reader is getting more of the reporter’s private thoughts and opinions then factual reporting. Words are rarely neutral; most of them have a number of associations depending on the way they are ...