From a post by OpinionJournal.com’s editor James Taranto (original post date 2/9/12):
From the San Francisco Chronicle comes a subtler example of a reporter, Joe Garofoli, inserting his opinion into what is ostensibly a news story. The subject is the Obama administration’s abortifacient and sterilization mandate:
The battle is over how to frame this issue–as an example of a government mandate trampling on “religious liberty,” as conservatives believe, or as a health policy concern vital for women, as liberals contend.
Conservatives believe one thing, liberals contend another–that’s nicely balanced. But note that only “religious liberty” gets the scare quotes. Why aren’t they also around “health policy concern” or “vital”?
1. What is the purpose of using scare quotes in news articles (what are scare quotes)?
2. What is the reporter's opinion on this issue?
3. Why shouldn't a reporter include his opinion in a news report?