The impact of using person-centered language to reference stigmatized groups in news coverage

Abstract

News coverage often uses stigmatizing language to label marginalized groups. Person-centered language has been discussed as a potential remedy, which this study tests for the first time. Using a between-subjects experiment with members of three marginalized groups ( n = 339), we investigate whether news articles that use person-centered terms (e.g., “person with substance use disorder”) instead of stigmatizing terms (e.g., “drug abuser”) improve attitudes towards journalism. Findings show person-centered terms increased the perception that one’s group was humanized in the news article and marginally increased trust in news. This study highlights the importance of journalists’ careful consideration of the labels they apply to marginalized groups. Although trust-building efforts cannot be limited to the use of person-centered terms, this research shows that the linguistic change is a step in the right direction.