An immoderate problem

NPR's weekend edition is waxing on about senate traditions and the filibustering of judges. Unless a group of "moderate" senators finds a compromise, the rule change will happen Tuesday.

Who says they're "moderate"? This is judgment journalism, and it's wrong, it's damaging, and it's state of the art in the Manhattan Media.

It's not that hard to avoid. Start with one-word judgments and don't use them. Large, small, fast, slow, liberal, moderate, conservative, extreme. Says who? Just don't use them. It's not that hard.

Try "12 senators" or "12 senators seeking a compromise on judicial filibusters." Facts, not judgments, have this amazing power to focus a story for both writer and reader, and the bonus of avoiding bias.