When I read a news story, I want only the facts, not opinion. Everyone has an opinion and can form one, but not everyone has the facts. This blog is an editorial. I comment and interject my opinion on news stories. I have noticed more so over the years though that even news stories are full of opinion sometimes in a subtle manner.
Consider the following excerpt from a July 29 Reuters story on the recent climate change bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"The bill has also split the religious community -- an important constituency in many states.
While some religious groups have banded together to lobby for the legislation, some conservative religious activists are mobilizing against it."
Why are religious groups who oppose this legislation termed "conservative" and "activists" but religious groups who support this legislation termed "groups" and not termed "liberal" and "activists"? Are those who support it normal while those who oppose it out of the mainstream?
Why are religious groups who oppose this legislation cast as "mobilizing against it" but religious groups who support this legislation cast as banding "together to lobby for" this legislation? Are those who support it peaceful, community-minded and doing it for the public good while those who oppose it violent and gearing up to fight it as for war?
Watch out for the adjectives used in news stories. They can change the entire tone of the "news".
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