Freedom of speech is one of our most precious and cherished liberties in the US. So when is it exceeded? When is it abused? When is it unacceptable? When is it destructive of our liberties? How do we deal with the paradox of allowing hateful or unacceptable speech while still claiming that we are a Christian nation?
We think it is critical to separate words themselves from all the forms of communication in the media. It is commonly accepted that 90% of our communication is non-verbal. This means that, in our media, it is not only the words used, but all the non-verbals as well that we should be aware of . . . and be critical of. We think most Americans are numb and ignorant of both the verbals and the non-verbals being broadcast on the Fox News media outlets. We challenge anyone and everyone to listen more actively about this. (Use our tracking sheet, for example.)
First, let’s step back a minute and focus on some of the language used on the Fox News Channels. Skipping over the slogans which insult our intelligence every hour of the day, we can talk as long as we could keep your attention about how Fox News perverts our media and potential greatness by how they distort and manipulate their use of language. Most Americans, for example, may not even be aware of the “Right Wing conspiracy” that has existed for several years regarding manipulation of language in the media and political discourse. Start with the term Democratic Party. It has a certain ring and history for two centuries. Fox News and the Republican Party buy-in has done all it can to replace that simple term with the term Democrat Party. Note that it has a harsher ring to it. It is stiffer. Until about 10 years ago and prior to Dr. Frank Luntz inputs on conservative talk circles, the word Democrat was a noun. It represented a person. Democratic was an adjective. It represented, when capitalized, the political party designation for an idea, policy etc. For the past 3 or 4 presidential election cycles, however, you see nearly all the Fox News hosts and most conservative politicians trying to eliminate the adjective “Democratic” from anyone’s language. The only rationale to this word replacement here is NOT to encourage the functioning of a healthy democracy and exchange of ideas. It is only to psychologically trigger a stilted or negative tone to any conversation regarding any Democratic idea, whatever its merits may be. It is insidious and evil. It is disrespectful. Happens every day, and even CNN and other hosts slip into using this word replacement.
If we could suggest a possible remedy, we think several Democrats should formally request in public forums that media people not use “Democrat” as an adjective. Request or insist that any “host” note to any guest that uses this term that they respect the wishes of Democrats everywhere and use the proper term. (We don’t, for example, ever use the term Republic instead of Republican as an adjective.) If any guest abuses this request, they should be asked to leave the show immediately.
There are unlimited examples of language manipulation by Fox News and conservative politicians these past 3 or 4 presidential cycles. Maybe the most frequently used vehicles are the focus group favorability scale devices used during debates and other forums. You may have seen the graphs over time of conservative and liberal audiences word by word during speeches or debate inputs. While these are likely used across the political spectrum, it is an art form and obsessively adhered to by Fox News outlets. Any phrase or language that stirs the passion of the listening audience is captured and becomes the “talking point” language for all conservative candidates, no matter what their former positions or thoughts have been on issues.
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