POYNTER WEBINAR REFLECTION

November 2020

What are some words that force people to make assumptions, particularly around issues of race? Provide some examples of words to avoid.

Any words that have a predisposed connotation should be avoided. This includes nonspecific adjectives and semantic words. Semantic words should be especially avoided when describing people. When describing peoples race or social status is in the readers best interest that you are specific and avoid general labels such as “person of color”, “Hispanic”, “poor”, and “immigrant”.

How or Why is precision in language use a means ensure dignity? Why is this important?

Precision of language ensures that subjects and sources keep their humanity intact when you write about them. It is important to always describe the person. This helps create sympathy with the reader by avoiding negative connotations that are associated with labels.

Why should journalists avoid referring to sources by labeling? Provide an example of labeling to avoid.

When a journalist refers to a source via label, it strips the source of their humanity and thus hinders the readers ability to sympathize with them. When describing someone with a condition it is best to write “a man who has autism” rather than “an autistic man”. Allows put the sources humanity first. It is also important to avoid labels to ensure that you to not place unintended connotations onto your sources character or personality.

Were you impacted in any way by this webinar. If so, how so? If not, why not?

The webinar brought to my attention the fact that we are not just telling stories, we are sharing real people’s stories. I think I tend to get lost in the very blunt nature of media writing and I forget why I am writing the story.