Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien,' '
 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...atino%20Voices

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) voted on Tuesday to recommend that newsrooms across the country discontinue using the phrases "illegal alien" and "illegal immigrant." SPJ concluded that only a court of law can determine whether an act is illegal and therefore using such terms in this sense are both incorrect and insensitive.

The resolution was announced at the Excellence in Journalism convention in New Orleans by SPJ's Diversity Committee. Originally, the Resolutions Committee denied their request to recommend newsrooms discontinue using these terms and told advocates for such a resolution to consult the Associated Press' styleguide committee.

When the Diversity Committee began advocating for newsrooms to discontinue describing undocumented immigrants as "illegal aliens" and "illegal immigrants," they were met with some opposition and sparked a debate on whether or not the term is actually offensive

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

thanks

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

Good advice for all.

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

I think they'd be more successful in helping establish the Society of Professional Illegal Aliens.

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

And this would accomplish what exactly?

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

how legit is this SPJ group? Do you think the mainstream journalists will listen to their recommendation?

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

Actually this is important. This would help change the tone of the debate. Terminology matters! The phrase 'Illegal Alien' inherently replaces our deserved human dignity with a dark cloud of criminality.

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

As long as they are aware of our struggles and are willing to help our cause, I don't really care what they call us.

Re: Society Of Professional Journalists Recommend Newsrooms Stop Using 'Illegal Alien
 

99% of those that use that term are not aware, and are anything but willing to help.