Entry #3: Slanted Reporting Quest

Hello again everyone! If you don't know me already my name is Austin Manore! Usually I'm in here talking about music. However, today I have a topic out of my league so bear with me!

    In class, we’ve been talking about how “writing to inform” is supposed to be objective, but this video from CNN, https://www.youtube.com/watch shows it’s not that simple. At first, the report seems purely factual it gives statistics, shows footage, and includes official statements (believable right?). However, the more I watched, the more I noticed how it subtly pushes a certain perspective. One big example is the word “surge.” The word itself makes the situation sound intense and overwhelming, even though they could have used something more neutral like “increase," thus this word allowing for a bigger push to one side 

Along with that, the visuals show crowded spaces and large groups of people, which creates a feeling of chaos. None of this is technically opinion, but it still shapes how the audience feels. What stood out most to me is how the report influences viewers without directly saying what to think. It made me realize how powerful small choices in reporting can be. Here are some important things to remember that matter in these slanted reports! Word choice matters: Words like “surge” create a sense of crisis instead of just an increase. Missing perspectives matters: We don’t really hear from migrants, which limits understanding of the issue. Emotional impact matters: The visuals and tone make viewers feel concerned or overwhelmed. 

Overall, this report shows that even “informational” writing isn’t fully neutral. As viewers, we need to think critically about what we’re seeing, especially what’s left out. So next time you guys are watching a news report look deeper into the situation, try to see what's really happening and if some of the problems of this world are being left out.