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# How Language in Mainstream Media Politics is Intentionally Used
- URL: https://otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io/how-language-in-mainstream-media-politics-is-intentionally-used/
- Published: 2026-10-30T19:07:58.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-31T03:45:00.000Z
- Author: Conor

Credibility is the currency of journalism. If a friend intentionally lied to you, would you trust the next thing they said? You would ask: "Why are you lying to me? What are you gaining from this?" 

Thus, why do we allow journalists to subvert the truth with no repercussions?

[In 2022, the Free Beacon conducted a study of hundreds of MSM (mainstream media) articles to determine patterns in how journalists mention race when reporting violent crimes](https://freebeacon.com/media/yes-the-media-bury-the-race-of-murderers-if-theyre-not-white/?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io). Their results will either confirm your suspicions, or hopefully awake you to the manipulative tactics of MSM.

Their findings can be summarized here:

**A. The Murderer Discrepancy (Naming & Identifying Race)**

- White suspect identified by race: 49.3%
- Black suspect identified by race: 14.8%
- Ratio: 3.3-to-1 likelihood of racial identification for White suspects vs. Black suspects.

**B. Placement in the Article (The "Burying" Trick)**

- White suspect race mentioned in headline/sub-headline/first 3 paragraphs: 87.5%
- Black suspect race mentioned in headline/sub-headline/first 3 paragraphs: 33.3%

**C. The Victim Inversion**

- Headlines identifying both races (White suspect/Black victim): 70%
- Headlines identifying both races (Black suspect/White victim): 12%

Furthermore, the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic studied the[*Manipulative use of political headlines in western and Russian online sources*](https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/Y8CNT6HWJYRZWJMZHQX8/full?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)*.* 

["Among most common types of language manipulation, Van Dijk (2017) identifies ‘the cognitive manipulation’ meant ‘to influence people’s beliefs, such as their mental models (including emotions) of specific events, or their more generic knowledge, attitudes or ideologies, usually about important social issues’ (p. 207) and ‘discursive manipulation’ that involves ‘the formation or change of mental situation models, such as the identities and roles of the participants involved in an event, what action or event is taking place, and what its causes and consequences are’ (Van Dijk, 2017)."](https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/Y8CNT6HWJYRZWJMZHQX8/full?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io) \- (Tymbay)

## Headline vs Reality

## **Exhibit 1\. "**[**A 26-year-old youth has been detained for sexual assault on a 22-year-old woman at the Puerta del Sol encampment"** ](https://www.abc.es/espana/madrid/detenido-joven-anos-agresion-sexual-mujer-acampada-20261025145319-nt.html?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

**Reality:** The victim is a 22 year old woman. Yet, the suspect is 26\. Why would ABC.es call him a youth, yet her a woman? 

The central Madrid encampment protest was sparked by the eviction of an 87-year-old disabled woman, peaking at 2,000 protesters 

**ABC.es has 2.3M X followers, 2.4M on Instagram, and 3.8M on TikTok.... Why would a major Spanish news outlet allow such a simple, obvious mistake...?**

**Exhibit 2\. "**[**Cases of Black people found hanged in the US South are a reminder of nation’s lynching history**](https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-hanging-lynchings-1e48dfdcfe985506db17bbe5c4edb8dc?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)**"**

**Reality:** Tragically, Tasia Fortune was found hung from a tree. Politicians and media attempted to capitalize on a racial narrative before facts emerged. State medical examiners ruled it a suicide.”

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-ec2c73b9-3ebc-4775-9133-60d74f800973.png)

Source: X.com [https://x.com/RepAOC/status/2098170460013834536](https://x.com/RepAOC/status/2098170460013834536?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

**Corrected headline:** [**"**Tasia Fortune’s hanging was ‘staged’ after her death in a drug dispute, Mississippi police say"](https://apnews.com/article/tasia-fortune-hanging-mississippi-death-hearing-95846bd8696ac741c26edd6db72a98d8?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

The AP stuck to the ‘noose narrative’ six days after the arrest of the actual murderer. AOC and Ayanna Pressley have offered no accountability for inflaming racial tensions based on a falsehood. 

[From final 2024 CDC/NCHS data (National Vital Statistics System and related summaries):](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/suicide.htm?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

- Total U.S. suicides: 48,824
- Suffocation/hanging (second-leading method): \~11,453 (about 23.5% of all suicides) — roughly 30+ per day on average

| Non-Hispanic White            | \~36,560      | \~75% |
| ----------------------------- | ------------- | ----- |
| Hispanic/Latino               | \~5,382       | \~11% |
| Non-Hispanic Black            | \~3,795–3,984 | \~8%  |
| Asian                         | \~1,500       | \~3%  |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | \~545         | \~1%  |
| Other / multiracial           | remainder     | —     |

 **Not only were they seeking to exploit racial tension narratives, they are ignorant to the statistics, whether intentional or not.** 

**Exhibit 3: Selective Naming**

**Do you remember these stories?** 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-80a13445-4471-4d88-b059-c7b94811e085.png)

[https://www.npr.org/2021/11/21/1057830499/an-suv-sped-through-a-parade-in-downtown-waukesha-wis-injuring-participants](https://www.npr.org/2021/11/21/1057830499/an-suv-sped-through-a-parade-in-downtown-waukesha-wis-injuring-participants?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-749bf5de-a159-4c85-b3e0-25b2767213fd.png)

[https://www.npr.org/2022/11/16/1137329530/judge-sentences-man-to-life-in-prison-for-waukesha-christmas-parade-attack](https://www.npr.org/2022/11/16/1137329530/judge-sentences-man-to-life-in-prison-for-waukesha-christmas-parade-attack?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-9e1f0737-fbe5-4308-9436-c44fec76e1c3.png)

[https://www.npr.org/2023/05/12/1175776831/daniel-penny-criminal-charges-jordan-neely-death-chokehold](https://www.npr.org/2023/05/12/1175776831/daniel-penny-criminal-charges-jordan-neely-death-chokehold?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

## Exhibit 4\. Silencing vs Broadcasting

**Case A**: The Belfast Stabbing Suppression

Original Headline(s): ["What to know about the stabbing that set off fiery riots in Northern Ireland"](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/what-to-know-about-the-stabbing-that-set-off-fiery-riots-in-northern-ireland?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

Suspect: Hadi Alodid (30-year-old Sudanese national living in the UK on a visa).

Victim: Local man in his 40s (suffered severe injuries to eyes, face, and back).

The Truth: A Northern Irishman was attacked in broad daylight. The media's response was to demand silence and warn against ‘misinformation’ to prevent ‘community tension.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-b579e642-3b32-4517-897c-d8a52069e941.png)

**Case B**: The Rittenhouse White Supremacist Narrative

Original Headline(s): ["Vigilante? Militia? Confusion And Politics Shape How Shooting Suspect Is Labeled"](https://www.npr.org/2020/08/28/907130558/vigilante-militia-confusion-and-politics-shape-how-shooting-suspect-is-labeled?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io) (NPR). [“Kyle Rittenhouse: Who is the teenager accused of shooting three people at US protests?”](https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/27/kyle-rittenhouse-homicide-kenosha-wisconsin-protest-shootings/5651231002/?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io) (USA today network)

Suspect: Kyle Rittenhouse (17-year-old at the time of incident).

The "Victims": Joseph Rosenbaum (criminal record included sexual assault of a minor), Anthony Huber (record included domestic battery), Gaige Grosskreutz (illegal firearm possession).

The Truth: Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges. The media spent months plastering his face on every screen, while highlighting the ‘crimes’ of those he defended himself against. His court case was national news.

Joe Biden even included him in a political ad before the 2020 election.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-88684c2c-a1eb-4b88-aa30-44f4895a438a.png)

---

# The Perception of ICE

In 2016, CNN's chief investigative correspondent, Pamela Brown, recorded and reported: [“A Day with ICE in the ‘Sanctuary City’ of Chicago.” ](https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2016/05/31/a-day-with-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-origwx-jm.cnn?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io) They portrayed and glorified ICE as heroes. What changed?

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/a6/a1/a6a1e9ec-aa8a-4f09-93c3-e0a4a905b322/content/images/2026/10/data-src-image-a9748656-c47a-41c3-95b1-9dd29c1f8df0.png)

When Obama does it, it's celebrated by MSM. When Trump does it, here is how politicians attempt to dictate the national conversation. 

Per the Center for Immigration Studies: [Three-quarters, 75 percent, of registered voters support Trump’s policy of deporting illegal criminal aliens, including 73 percent of Independents and 63 percent of Democrats — views “sanctuary” politicos who are actively blocking ICE access to jails and prisons may want to heed."](https://cis.org/Arthur/Latest-HarvardHarris-Poll-Shows-Extremely-Modest-Bump-Mass-Deportation?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

Yet, we were conditioned to believe Trump's ICE was equivalent to Nazi Germany.

- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: Called ICE “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo” (May 2025 graduation speech and later remarks). He described agents scooping people up in unmarked vans, wearing masks, and disappearing them.
- Rep. John Larson (D-CT): Explicitly said ICE is “the SS” and “the Gestapo.”
- Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA): Compared ICE operations to “a Gestapo operation,” referencing old films of the Gestapo grabbing people off streets.
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA): Told CNN “I don’t think that the comparisons with Nazi Germany are extreme,” drawing parallels to ordinary Germans accepting state targeting of community members via tip lines, etc.
- Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY): In a House Homeland Security hearing, invoked Nazi Germany while questioning ICE leadership, later stating tactics were “un-American and outright fascist” and that officials were acting like a “fascist regime or secret police.”
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker: Claimed the country is becoming “Nazi Germany” because ICE is “grabbing people off the street… and disappearing them.”
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom: Likened ICE to “secret police” and “authoritarian”; his office has used “Gestapo Greg” for Border Patrol figures. Called for people to “push back.”
- Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR): “Masked federal agents terrorizing our communities at the behest of an authoritarian strongman has a name: fascism.”
- Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA): “Trump is using ICE like a secret police force. They’ve used Gestapo-like tactics to terrorize communities…”
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI): Accused ICE of “terrorizing our communities” and “turning our country into a fascist police state.”
- Other recurring labels from Democrats (White House and DHS compilations list dozens): “secret police,” “slave patrols” (Rep. Jasmine Crockett), “terror force,” “vigilantes,” “thugs,” “deranged,” calls to abolish ICE, etc.

## What The Numbers Say

["In FY 2023, there were 3,201,144 encounters between inadmissible aliens and the U.S. government nationwide. In 2016, the last year of the Obama administration, there were 690,433 such encounters. This 460 percent increase in inadmissible alien encounters is a direct and obvious result of Biden policies which deliberately encourage, facilitate and reward illegal immigration."](https://www.congress.gov/118/meeting/house/116759/witnesses/HMTG-118-IF02-Wstate-RectorR-20240117.pdf?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io) (Rector)

| Metric                                          | Period A        | Period B        | Period C        | Period D        |
| ----------------------------------------------- | --------------- | --------------- | --------------- | --------------- |
| Total Formal Removals                           | \~3,060,000     | \~1,200,000     | \~1,100,000     | \~980,000       |
| DHS Estimated Unauthorized Immigrant Population | \~11.0M - 11.5M | \~11.4M - 12.0M | \~13.5M - 15.0M | \~14.5M - 15.8M |

**Key:**

- **Period A:** Obama (2009–2016)
- **Period B:** Trump (2017–2020)
- **Period C:** Biden (2021–2024)
- **Period D:** Trump (2025–July 2026)

*Note: Data for Period D includes \~2.2 million incentivized departures (self-deportations) in addition to formal removals. Additionally, the DHS only has a rough estimate from border sightings. The actual estimated number of illegal immigrants is much much higher.* 

Below is the administrations offer to self deport.

"[Illegal aliens who register for voluntary self-departure through the CBP Home Mobile App will receive cost-free travel, a $3,000 exit bonus, and forgiveness of any failure to depart fines. Illegal aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arranged for them.](https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)

[The CBP Home Mobile App allows illegal aliens to plan their return, including having an opportunity to depart in a timely manner – allowing illegal aliens to wrap up work, school, and personal matters and organize their return in an orderly and lawful way.](https://www.dhs.gov/cbphome?ref=otn-news-outside-the-narrative-1.ghost.io)"

**These manipulation tactics go well beyond reporting violent crimes. What do they have to gain from these narratives? What agendas are they pushing vs muzzling? Why?** 

**Subscribe and follow along with OTN: News Outside the Narrative to uncover more!**