Beware of the Dog Whistle. How to Avoid Coded Language in Your Stories

Online hate speech that is vile and capable of inciting violence is growing in scope and vitriol. Less understood is the prevalence of coded hate speech where the intent is to use language that appears normal but also signals something very specific to users who are “in the know.”

What should journalists learn about dog whistles intended to negatively target a specific group without alarming general audiences or censors? Should journalists use such terms in their work or quote sources who say them? This discussion will focus on whether journalists are even aware that seemingly innocuous terms may have hidden, racist meanings and why they should care.

Wendy Melillo is an associate professor of journalism in the School of Communication at American University in Washington, DC where she teaches journalism writing and history classes. Her scholarship includes research on how persuasive communication and propaganda influence traditional media and society at large.