Misused language.

 

In the 1940s classic Language in Thought and Action author SI Hayakawa’s main takeaway is that true reporting relies on the avoidance of “loaded words”. Todd Green says even a word such as “terrorism” is not something with a broad agreement on an objective definition. Violence labelled as terrorism in the media has often applied to violence carried out by people with a Muslim (or otherwise “foreign”) background. Violence by white extremists, on the other hand, has typically not been labelled as “terrorism”. Likewise, violence with a disproportionate impact on civilians by state actors - the United States, Israel, etc - rarely gets described as “terrorism” by journalists. Journalists should use caution when choosing to apply - or not apply - the word “terrorism” to violence targeting civilians. Here are a few words from Al Jazeera English’s style guide to help maintain a neutral description of conflicts and fighters. 

• TERRORISM/TERRORISTS - One person’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. Do not use these terms unless attributed to a source/person. 

• EXTREMIST - Do not use. Avoid characterising people. Often their actions do the work for the viewer. Could write “violent group” if reporting on Boko Haram agreeing to negotiate with the government. In other words, reporting on a violent group that’s in the news for a non-violent reason.

 • ISLAMIST - Do not use. Journalists should describe groups and individuals, by talking about their previous actions and current aims to give viewers the context they require, rather than use a simplistic label. 

• JIHAD - Do not use the Arabic term. Strictly speaking, jihad means an inner spiritual struggle, not a holy war. It is not by tradition a negative term. It also means the struggle to defend Islam against things challenging it.

 • MILITANT - Use this term to describe individuals who favour confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause. For example, you can use the term to describe Norwegian mass killer Andres Behring Breivik or Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. But do not use it to describe a group of people, as in “militants” or “militant groups” etc.