What determines whether something is important or meaningful? It’s based on personal experience and evaluation. Yet, media often presents its opinion of what’s important as an objective fact — sometimes directly describing it as such, without explaining why it is so. This heightens the drama in the news story, and also curtails readers’ ability to evaluate the facts for themselves. Let’s look at the top examples in the media last week.
#1. Signature & landmark
Spun version: “The Iranian president’s signature achievement, a landmark nuclear deal with world powers, is starting to unravel…” (The Washington Post)Un-spun version: President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal this week. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani had been involved in the 18 month negotiations to establish the agreement between Iran and six other countries.
Why does it matter? While the president may indeed consider it a big achievement, “signature” and “landmark” are subjective assessments. In this case, the more the deal is built up as positive, the worse it looks for Rouhani if it ends.
#2. Meaningful
Spun: “No deals for now — let’s weaken Iran and change the strategic calculus first. Then, and only then, the negotiating table may yield a meaningful result.” (National Review)Un-spun version: Trump effectively withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and reintroduced sanctions on the Middle Eastern country. He has currently not re-entered another agreement.
Why does it matter? This assumes that the former nuclear deal did not yield a “meaningful result,” but based on what standard? Some would say the international nuclear inspections were “meaningful,” while others might not. Meaningful is subjective.
Source: Top 10 ‘important’ spin words in the news this week | The Knife Media
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