Society of Professional Journalists Nixes "illegal alien" and "illegal immigrant"

October 2, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Who knows better than journalists that words do matter ...

The Society of Professional Journalists, hearing an emotional plea from Rebecca Aguilar, a member of SPJ and of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, voted Tuesday to recommend that newsrooms discontinue using the terms "illegal alien" and "illegal immigrant." The resolution from the 7,800-member organization says only courts can decide when a person has committed an illegal act.

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"I hope that it makes a statement about sensitivity to language. It has an effect on the people it refers to," Albarado said. "I hope it shows people that journalists are concerned about being accurate when they refer to people, plus I hope it helps shape the discussion."

The Alabama media have been pretty good about this already, except when they're quoting from the Beason-Hammon Law which uses the term "illegal alien" several times.  By my count, Alabama's law refers to "alien" or "aliens" a whopping 150 times.