Journalists don’t use passive voice to take away blame from the police
That’s right. They do it to take away blame from drivers.
Comment on E-bike rider killed in collision with police car
bleistift2@sopuli.xyz 3 weeks ago
Journalists don’t use passive voice to take away blame from the police, but because this is a story about the e-bike rider. In active voice, this would read “Police kill e-bike rider in collision”, which takes the focus away from the victim and shifts it onto the police. Is that better?
Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
dumblederp@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
And the council/government.
“Lack of suitable bike infrastructure and community education sees another cyclist killed by car in easily preventable situation.”
NaevaTheRat@vegantheoryclub.org 3 weeks ago
No they do it to avoid being sued by litigious gangs full of murderous thugs.
jonne@infosec.pub 3 weeks ago
Yes.
guillem@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Adding that the passive voice is still used if the victim is a cop. Examples from the same outlet:
Language can be misused but I don’t think it’s the case here. And I guess using the active voice in traffic accidents before they are investigated would need unnecessary sprinkling of “allegedly”.
Zagorath@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Don’t call it an accident.
guillem@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
Fair point.