Report: Politico Tells Reporters to Not Call the Border Situation a Crisis

Report: Politico Tells Reporters to Not Call the Border Situation a Crisis

The Washington Examiner obtained an internal email from Politico telling reporters to not call the border crisis a crisis, even repeating the demands of the Associated Press (emphasis mine):

“Avoid referring to the present situation as a crisis, although we may quote others using that language while providing context. While the sharp increase in the arrival of unaccompanied minors is a problem for border officials, a political challenge for the Biden administration and a dire situation for many migrants who make the journey, it does not fit the dictionary definition of a crisis,” the memo from deputy production director Maya Parthasarathy reads. “If using the word ‘crisis,’ we need to ask of what and to whom.”

The Washington Examiner provided the definition of crisis: “a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.”

As I mentioned, The Associated Press already chose not to use the word the crisis in this situation. I found it precious the memo said, “With immigration and the U.S. border back in the news” after harping on President Donald Trump about kids in cages for four years. The AP also tries to twist the crisis definition to fit its narrative (emphasis mine):

With immigration and the U.S. border back in the news, it is especially imperative for the AP to consistently use accurate and neutral language in its coverage along with giving proper context to border numbers given the political rhetoric on the topic.

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The current event in the news — a sharp increase in the arrival of unaccompanied minors — is a problem for border officials, a political challenge for Biden and a dire situation for many migrants who make the journey, but it does not fit the classic dictionary definition of a crisis, which is: “A turning point in the course of anything; decisive or crucial time, stage, or event,” OR “a time of, or a state of affairs involving, great danger or trouble, often one which threatens to result in unpleasant consequences [an economic crisis].”

Therefore, we should avoid, or at the least, be highly cautious, about referring to the present situation as a crisis on our own, although we may quote others using that language.

If using the word “crisis,” we need to ask of what and to whom. There could be a humanitarian crisis if the numbers grow so large that officials cannot house the migrants safely or in sanitary conditions. Migrants may face humanitarian crises in their home countries. In theory, there could be a security or a border crisis if officials lose control of the border, allowing people to enter unencumbered in large numbers. But, in general, avoid hyperbole in calling anything a crisis or an emergency.

Translation: Avoid hyperbole when we like the person in the White House and parties in control of Congress.

Politico used border crisis in the past. The publication used “border crisis” during President Barack Obama’s administration!

I noticed the recent articles mentioned “border crisis” when the author or others blamed Trump for the migrant surge.

Look at what the Associated Press published in a June 2019 article (emphasis mine): “For a highly significant scoop that dominated the news cycle on multiple days and returned world attention to the border crisis, Mendoza, Burke and Attanasio win AP’s Best of the Week award.”

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