PagAnarchy blog for Faerie Menace

I'm thinking a lot about the use of language lately. Particularly how media can use different choices of words to sway public opinion.

On a hypothetical level, if I say "Gordon Brown is a Grade A Chunk of Dick Cheese" and BG responds by saying "No, I'm not"... then variously, the headlines could read:

Faerie Menace calls Brown 'Dick Cheese'

- well, a bit boring. but how about:

Gordon Brown denies being 'Dick Cheese'

- when someone denies something, that doesn't mean it's not true and the media use these techniques to make pretty major accusations. How about "Max Mosley denies Nazi allegations". This allows the media to throw the accusation in, whilst pretending it isn't.

Taking that a step further:

Gordon Brown is "Dick Cheese"

- the use of quotation marks in a headline allow a strong message to be delivered whilst allowing the reporter to hide behind those quotes.

Faerie Menace attacks Gordon Brown

- well, it's true in this case. It was an attack. But just using that word 'attack' can make the article that much more compelling to read.

Gordon Brown under attack

- similarly.

And from leftfield:

FaerieMenace gives Gordon Brown a "Grade A"

- well I did! But the media in this instance has really twisted my words to deceive the public into believe I'm a fan of someone I just attacked!

Oh whoa.

Hmmm, how about something closer to home.

Compare:

Faerie Menace enjoys using pain, power exchange and role-play to take faeries on magical journeys deep into the heart of their sacred sexuality.

Compare with

Faerie Menace gets his sexual kicks torturing young, sexy women!!

Of course, both headlines tell the same story, but one is so much more packed with emotion and vitriol.

I'm becoming more and more on the look-out at the way the media uses headlines to sway public opinion. Perhaps I should do a media studies course? Does anyone know of any good books about this topic?

Hugs to all from the FaerieMenace