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December 20, 2010
Illegal Aliens Have NO Constitutional Rights! BUT Reporters told: Don't say 'illegal immigrant'
Reporters told: Don't say 'illegal immigrant'
Journalist group calls for purge of term – everyone innocent until proven guilty
The Society of Professional Journalists is telling reporters not to use “illegal immigrant” or “illegal alien” in their columns and reports.
A diversity plan from a group of journalists says reporters should not be using the term “illegal aliens” because it is not constitutional.
“Frequent use of the phrases ‘illegal immigrant’ and ‘illegal alien’ by our mainstream media is being questioned in order to remain faithful to the principles of our U.S. Constitution,” Leo Laurence wrote in the “Diversity Toolbox” column on the website for the Quill, which is produced by the Society of Professional Journalists.
He said the organization’s “Diversity Committee” met during its 2010 convention in Las Vegas and “decided to engage in a yearlong educational campaign designed to inform and sensitize journalists as to the best language to use when writing and reporting on undocumented immigrants.”
The concept, however, elicited some pointed criticism from analyst Alana Goodman of the Culture and Media Institute, who noted that the campaign appears to be targeted toward one situation, when there are many others that also could be addressed.
“The label ‘remains offensive to Latinos, and especially Mexicans, and to the fundamentals of American jurisprudence,’ wrote Leo E. Laurence,” said Goodman.
"Seeing as most Latinos in the U.S. are not illegal immigrants – and since the term has no racial or ethnic connotation – it's hard to see how it would cause offense to this group. In fact, the only people who should really be put off by the term are illegal immigrants themselves (or their advocates), who don't believe unlawful residency in the U.S. should be a crime," Goodman wrote.
The term "illegal immigrant," in fact, is cited in a recent style book for the Associated Press, which often has advertised it is the world's oldest and largest newgathering organization, as "the preferred term, rather than 'illegal alien' or 'undocumented worker.'"
It is used, the book documents, "to describe those who have entered the country illegally."
Goodman noted that Laurence believes, "Only a judge, not a journalist, can say that someone is an illegal."
"Obviously you don't need to go to law school to understand that basic concept. And it's certainly important to use words like 'suspected' when writing about a specific individual whose immigration status has not yet been determined. But it has absolutely nothing to do with getting rid of the term 'illegal immigrant' altogether," Goodman wrote.
Laurence argued that "one of the most basic of our constitutional rights is that everyone (including non-citizen) is innocent of any crime until proven guilty in a court of law."
His recommendation is that reporters avoid both "illegal immigrant" and "illegal alien."
Laurence wrote, "Some believe the phrase 'illegal alien' originated with fiery, anti-immigrant groups along the U.S.-Mexico border, such as the Minutemen."
That's fine, said Minuteman leader Jim Gilchrist.
"Why don't we just call them a suspected illegal aliens," he told WND.
Using some of the other terms just would muddy the waters, he said.
"I prefer to be more specific, get right to the point. According to U.S. law, they are illegal aliens," he said.
He said that fits with what is done in other cases, as in the "suspected bank robber," who has not yet been convicted.
"The SPJ diversity committee says 'undocumented immigrant' is a more appropriate description. Yet living in the U.S. without any documentation of citizenship is illegal," wrote Goodman.
"Using the term 'undocumented immigrant' is disingenuous, because it downplays the severity of the crime. It's like calling a car thief an 'unauthorized driver' – it's misleading to the point of inaccuracy. And when a journalist makes the decision to mislead readers, in an attempt to portray a person or group in a more positive light, it can't be called anything but pure advocacy. It's a shame that an important group like SPJ is promoting such tactics," Goodman wrote.
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Wild Thing's comment.......
Show me where in the Constitution that it says that you cannot use the words illegal aliens. More BS from the media. Illegal immigrants are not citizens and are not given protection under the Constitution.
It is obvious these Third World hyphenates are building a nation within our nation. THEIR nation does not recognize US sovereignity, our laws, customs, our Constitution, and our form of government.
Undocumented Democrats ???
This nonsense is status quo for liberals. Defeat truth by limiting the debate and controlling the conversation. Illegal alien is a label that alerts the hearer or reader that the person referred to has entered the US illegally.
If Illegal Aliens are Undocumented Workers, then Thieves are Undocumented Shoppers. And terrorists are now undocumented explosive experts.
I will continue to call them illegal aliens or illegals no matter that the PC police say. This blog says at the top it is a PC Free Zone and it will continue to be one.
Posted by Wild Thing at December 20, 2010 03:47 AM
Comments
Okey dokey, how's this"
Screw you beaners, now get out of my country and go back to your flea bag, cartel, taco rolling shit hole of a country. Vamoos!
Posted by: Eddie (Enemy of the State) at December 20, 2010 07:55 AM
I simply refer to them as "border-jumping criminals." I recently heard them called "border-jumping beans," but corrected the speaker as not all border-jumping criminals are hispanic. One must strive for accuracy.
Posted by: petesuj at December 20, 2010 09:08 AM
Let's return to the days of yesteryear and call them wetbacks.
Posted by: TomR,armed in Texas at December 20, 2010 10:34 AM
Every time I read an article concerning the plight of these so called, poor people, and they are referred to as "Undocumented" or merely "Immigrants", I cringe.
The people in the press have become so cowed by criticism by minority groups, that real objective reporting has become a distant memory.
It is not just the term Illegal Immigrant, it is words suc as, "African,or whatever ethnic group-American." Terms like,"alleged", instead of "accused. "Gays" instead of "Homosexuals".
No longer are we a "Melting Pot", where every ethnicity and race contributes to the overall culture. We have become a nation divided because of the actions of the Politicians and The Press.
Posted by: Sean at December 20, 2010 12:53 PM
Well is WetBack "OK"
Posted by: gator at December 20, 2010 11:50 PM
You all are awesome, thank you so much.
Posted by: Wild Thing at December 21, 2010 01:44 AM
