The language of the media on politics

[cromwell]

It interests me, how words are deliberately shaped to try and influence the vote.

Some parties claim to be "progressive". Ergo their opponents must be regressive. Whether the party in question actually is progressive, or where that progress may be actually taking us, is immaterial. They are seizing the language of virtue for themselves.

In France at the moment, Le Pen is religiously described as "Far right". The leftist candidate Melanchon, when he was mentioned at all, was described as "Hard left".

Now we look at Macron. He is described by the media as a "centrist" candidate.

In other words he isn't an extremist and you should vote for him.

Interesting, the attempts to shepherd voters down the "correct" path!

[Workingman]

You are an old cynic, Cromwell, but spot on.

It is like when they use 'populism' as a code for not being above board - a bit dodgy. Yet down the centuries all politicians have striven very hard to be 'popular' in order to get votes no matter what their political leanings are.

It seems that it is OK to be a 'populist' if you fit the media's agenda where you will be called a statesman or some such rubbish, but if you don't fit then you are a shady and downright unethical charlatan.

Macron then becomes a centrist statesman whereas Le Pen is using the populism of extremism to try to stay in the race.

[Suff]

Macron then becomes a centrist statesman whereas Le Pen is using the populism of extremism to try to stay in the race.

It is a subtle message much more understood in mainland Europe than the UK. Because Hitler used the populism of "extremism", in a time of economic collapse, to take over a country and launch WWII.

The message tends to be lost in the UK and the US, we did, after all, win the war. It is not lost on those who suffered subjugation or catastrophic defeat.

[Suff]

Well Farron got an earful on his campaign though...

Finishing with..

“If that’s your policies I hope you are going to get six seats.”

It is still to be seen whether this is the overall attitude to the Lib Dems and Labour, assisted by the "populist" press and what it will do to their campaign.

Brings a smile though..

[Workingman]

I see that Australian journalists are to strike for a week.

Please, please, please can the UK's come out in a show of international solidarity with their Oz comrades. A minimum of a month, say, or much, much longer ...... 2019, or thereabouts.

[AliasAggers]

I see that Australian journalists are to strike for a week.

Please, please, please can the UK's come out in a show of international solidarity with their Oz comrades. A minimum of a month, say, or much, much longer ...... 2019, or thereabouts.

I feel the same way, too.

I'm getting so fed up with reading the newspapers lately. They should be giving us the news,
not trying to influence us politically. In fact, I'm even feeling inclined not to vote for anyone
or anything again in future.

[cromwell]

Well I never!

On Radio 5 last night there was a discussion about the labels placed on politicians. They looked at Macron's "centrism" and talked about some of his policies that aren't centrist at all, and did the same with Le Pen, showing policies that are not "far right".

Will wonders never cease?

[Workingman]

It is noticeable that the media is being called out more and more since all the "fake news" accusations started flying about with Brexit and Trump.

What a refreshing change!

[Suff]

What a refreshing change!

So inexpressibly sad that it takes Brexit and Trump to make people sit up and challenge what they hear!

[cromwell]

There was a Professor from Birmingham Uni on Sky news today.

Honestly, he was embarrassing. Slogan after slogan. Macron was for an "open" France, a "tolerant France", a "progressive France" which would "use it's diversity". What does any of this actually MEAN? Where is France actually progressing to? He didn't say.

If that is the standard of University lecturers these days it explains a good deal.