The truth, the first amendment, and the profession of journalism are more important than ever. The truth is in a constant fight with the political agenda of many government officials.

It is important to understand the tactics of many officials trying to stray the public in the wrong direction.

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Even though the media is in constant criticism for bias and false reporting, the government is a major contributor to false information along with avoiding crucial questions.

How do they do it without getting in trouble?

Two words: Weasel Words.

Weasel words make arguments seem specific, well thought out, and meaningful, when in reality these claims are vague, avoiding the facts, and ambiguous. Weasel words are often used in political campaigning, interviews, and advertising.

Weasel WordsSource

Weasel words often promote controversial statements.

Using weasel words allows the speaker to refute their statement when challenged by the media and this is why many politicians are getting away with claiming fake news. Since the statement was never specific in the first place, it is easier for them to get away with blaming the media and avoiding their statements.

The term is defined as implying deception and irresponsibility and being sneaky, insincere, manipulative, and untrustworthy.

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Some examples of weasel words are: "People say," "Clearly," "Researchers believe," "Most people think," and "It has been claimed that." Each of these statements begs for answers: Who thinks that? Who researched that? How do they know that?

Weasel words can be identified as statements with numerically vague expressions, the use of the passive voice to avoid specifying authority, and adverbs that weaken.

One of the earliest uses of weasel words was in 1916 used by Theodore Roosevelt: "One of our defects as a nation is a tendency to use ...'weasel words'; when one 'weasel word' is used ... after another there is nothing left."