What’s the deal with Iran and Trump? The media’s spin makes it hard to tell | The Knife Media
(The Knife Media) News outlets use dramatic, opinionated descriptions to characterize Trump’s decision not to recertify the Iran deal. The opinions portray Trump’s decision as problematic – suggesting it could be destabilizing to the U.S.’ role in international relations, spark an arms race or undo progress towards better relations with Iran. These descriptions could bias readers into judging the decision and its effects based on the opinions of reporters, without critically evaluating data-based information about the deal and Trump’s criticism of it.
Here are some examples of dramatic descriptions (spin bolded).
Descriptions of Trump’s speech
Trump “delivered afire-breathing indictmentof the Iranian government’s activities…” (The New York Times)
“President Trump hasrecastthe list of Middle East threats, with Iran replacing Islamic State asEnemy Number One.” (BBCcorrespondent)
“Trump on Fridayangrilyaccused Iran of violating thelandmark2015 international nuclear accord, blaming the Iranians for alitany of sinisterbehavior andhittingtheir main military wing with anti-terror penalties.” (AP)
Speculation on the effects of Trump’s approach
“Trump’stough-guyapproach couldyet risk undoingyears ofcarefuldiplomacy andincreasingMiddle Easttensions.” (AFP)
“Critics said Mr. Trumprisked isolatingthe United States diplomatically and giving up the deal’shard-wongains, includingintrusiveinspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities.” (The New York Times)
“World governmentsfearedany US move tosabotagethe arrangement coulddashWashington’s diplomaticcredibilityand relaunch Iran’s alleged quest for a nuclear weapon, in turn provoking a new Middle East arms race.” (AFP)
Compare the spun sentences above to our Raw Data or Context sections, and you can see how the media sensationalizes at least as much as it informs.
Although there may indeed be negative effects to Trump’s decision not to certify the deal, reporting that focuses on drama and opinion doesn’t aid critical evaluation and an understanding of the decision and its potential effects. Neutral reporting of the facts does.
Written by Leah Mottishaw, Sean Sweeney and Julia Berry López
Edited by Julia Berry López,Jens Erik GouldandRosa Laura Junco
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