Political Word Laundering Short & Simple
The use of "clean" or technical language to mask harsh, controversial, or unethical realities. It’s designed to shape public opinion by neutralizing emotional reactions. Common Tactics Passive Voice: Using Mistakes were made instead of We failed. It removes accountability. Technical Jargon: It turns tragedy into a statistic. Positive Spin: Labeling Design to make it sound productive. How to Defend Yourself? Ask Who is doing what? Identify the hidden actor. If you hear "Budget optimization," ask "Who is cutting what services for whom? The "5-Year-Old" Test: Try to explain the term in simple words. Cross-Check Sources: Compare how different media outlets describe the same event. The truth usually lies in the gap between their chosen words.