editorialize
ED-ih-tor-ee-uh-lyz
/ˌed.ɪˈtɔːr.i.ə.laɪz/
To insert personal opinions or bias into what should be a neutral report or objective presentation of facts.
Usually carries a critical tone when applied to news reporting, implying a breach of journalistic objectivity.
The story behind the word. Formed in 19th-century American journalism from 'editorial'. It emerged as newspapers began separating strict news columns from opinion pages, using 'editorialize' to describe reporters breaching this wall.
Word relationships
- slant: Slant means to lean toward a perspective; editorialize explicitly adds overt opinions.
- color: Color implies subtly altering tone; editorialize means introducing explicit opinions.
- report: To present factual details without subjective interpretation.
Commonly confused with
- editorial: An editorial is a deliberate opinion piece; to editorialize is to inappropriately mix opinion into news reporting.
Word family
- editorialization (noun): The act of expressing personal opinions in factual reporting.
- editorial (noun/adjective): An article expressing official opinion, or relating to an editor.
Collocations
- tendency to editorialize
- editorialize news
- editorialize in reporting
- refrain from editorializing
Example sentences
- "The news anchor was reprimanded for attempting to editorialize during a straight factual broadcast on tax reforms." Journalism Ethics
- "Editors warned the young reporter not to editorialize her interview with the controversial mayor." Publishing
Memory hook
EDITOR-ialize: Acting like an EDITOR by injecting your own comments into someone else's story. Sneaking Opinion into Facts
When not to use
Do not use when someone is writing an explicit opinion essay where personal views are expected.
Fun facts
- In early 19th-century newspapers, news and opinions were mixed freely; editorializing only became a concept when objectivity was popularized.
Explore more words
editorial, objectivity, impartial, unbiased, bias, distortion
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