“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”.
No where are the words protest or protester used in the first amendment.
The corporate main street media, however, refers to burning private property, stealing private property (looting) and assault as protesting or angry protesting.
In actuality these activities are all violations of the law. Somehow the main street media refuses to say or print the words criminal behavior,
for what it actually is, a crime, seems to me to be a perfect example of yellow dog journalism.
The language used by the corporate media has sometimes historically been referred to as “Yellow Dog Journalism” or “Yellow Journalism”.
Here is one definition provided by Study.com: Yellow journalism is an exaggerated, exploitative, sensational style of newspaper reporting. It emerged at the end of the nineteenth century when rival newspaper publishers competed for sales in the coverage of events leading up to and during the Spanish-American War in 1898.
I would add, without “context” which seems to be the favored method of sensationalizing the news by the media. The purpose I believe, is to manipulate we the people’s opinions regarding what is happening.
The huge corporate media system using the word protest, protesters or angry protesters instead of criminal acts, violations of the law or criminal behavior is in my opinion, a big part of the problem.
I hope that some future generation of Americans will demand honest and competent news reporting, based on facts and correct use of the language.
There is nothing peaceful about destroying property, stealing or assault.
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