The problem: The labels journalists choose when describing certain communities, particularly those who are marginalized by society, can evoke negative stereotypes and create public stigma toward these groups. Harmful labels may also isolate communities and make them feel like journalists don’t understand them or serve them well. As an alternative, advocates have called for the use of person-centered or person-first language, but it has yet to be tested how marginalized communities themselves feel about person-centered terms in news. With support from Resolve Philly and Democracy Fund, the Center for Media Engagement addressed this question by soliciting feedback on news articles from three stigmatized groups: people in recovery from substance use disorder, people who have experienced homelessness and people with a disability.
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