bothsidesism
Manufactured equivalence fallacy
Bothsidesism is the practice of presenting opposing viewpoints as equally valid or credible, even when evidence strongly favors one side.
The term is usually pejorative, criticizing journalists or commentators who give fringe positions the same weight as mainstream consensus: The climate debate suffered from bothsidesism that amplified denial.
Also both-sides-ism.
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- hyperpartisanshipExtreme allegiance to one's faction
- bipartisanshipCooperation between political rivals
- centrismMiddle-ground political stance
Ambiguous language avoiding commitment
- whataboutismDeflecting criticism through counter-accusation
- relativismContext-dependent truth doctrine
Expert commentary profession
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- infotainmentNews-entertainment media blend
- sensationalismOverhyped news coverage
Stripping complexity unfairly
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
- legitimizationFormal recognition as valid
polarization
Separation into opposing extremes
- partisanshipLoyalty to one faction
- hyperpartisanshipExtreme allegiance to one's faction
- bipartisanshipCooperation between political rivals
equivocation
Ambiguous language avoiding commitment
- whataboutismDeflecting criticism through counter-accusation
- relativismContext-dependent truth doctrine
punditry
Expert commentary profession
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- infotainmentNews-entertainment media blend
oversimplification
Stripping complexity unfairly
- misrepresentationFalse or misleading statement
- distortionTwisting from original state
- normalizationAdjusting to a standard
bothsidesismtruth-telling
Communicating only facts
intellectual honesty · intellectual courage · moral clarity · conviction · partisanship
bothsidesismfact-checking
Confirming accuracy of claims
truth-telling · investigative journalism · debunking · advocacy journalism
bothsidesismproportional representation
Seats allocated by vote share
intellectual rigor · critical thinking · discernment · one-sidedness · bias
both, side, sides, sided, siding, sidelong, sideways, beside, besides