‘Aspirational is a good thing – I take it as a compliment’ — Peter and Jessica O’Mahony on becoming ‘numb’ to criticism

loaded verbs: The phrase 'put boots on the ground' is a militaristic idiom that dramatises a diplomatic visit, implying active intervention rather than symbolic support.

“Taoiseach Micheál Martin put boots on the ground in Ukraine”

loaded adjectives: Describing €125m as 'no less' implies the sum is substantial or impressive, subtly framing it as generous without context.

“to the tune of a further €125m, no less”

sympathy appeal: The phrase 'could use a helping hand right about now' evokes pity for Zelensky, framing Ukraine as vulnerable and in need of rescue.

“it really does seem like the Ukrainian president could use a helping hand right about now”

framing by emphasis: Focuses on internal Ukrainian instability without balancing context on external pressures from Russia, potentially overstating Zelensky’s isolation.

“Mr Zelensky is facing new battles on the home front”

narrative framing: Poses a leading question about Zelensky 'losing his grip on power' without presenting evidence, framing the narrative around his potential downfall.

“Is the leader once hailed as “the spirit of Ukraine” gradually losing his grip on power?”

loaded labels: Referring to executives as 'the suits' carries a negative connotation, implying corporate detachment from on-air talent.

“who are the suits now commanding the biggest salaries at RTÉ?”

fear appeal: Phrasing like 'waning audience' and 'hunt for talent' creates a sense of crisis, suggesting RTÉ is losing relevance.

“can a new slate of drama productions win back a waning audience?”

framing by emphasis: Focuses on salary shifts without providing broader context on RTÉ’s financial health or audience metrics, potentially exaggerating the significance.

“So as the stars slide down the RTÉ rich list”

loaded adjectives: Describing the hex as 'damning and highly effective' gives it narrative weight, subtly endorsing the myth rather than treating it skeptically.

“a damning and highly effective hex”

sympathy appeal: Phrases like 'decades of heartbreak' and 'overcome their demons' evoke pity and drama, framing Mayo’s history as tragic.

“decades of heartbreak”

narrative framing: Presents the curse as a central narrative without sufficient critical distance, potentially reinforcing superstition over sport analysis.

“whispers of the famous curse, which supposedly condemned the county to endless defeat, can still be heard”

loaded labels: Translating 'pobal sceimhlitheoireachta' as 'terrorist community' applies a highly charged label without attribution, implying consensus on a contested designation.

“Pobal sceimhlitheoireachta: Terrorist community”

loaded adjectives: Describing Israel’s control as 'faoi smacht' (under control) without context frames it negatively, implying oppression.

“Tá Gaza agus an Bruach Thiar faoi smacht Iosrael le blianta fada anuas”

sympathy appeal: Highlighting that Seán was held despite 'no crime done' evokes injustice and sympathy for him.

“cé nach raibh aon choir déanta aige”

missing historical context: Presents Israel’s actions without context of security concerns, potentially biasing the portrayal.

“gabh fórsaí Iosrael Seán agus coinníodh i gcillín é ar feadh cúig lá”

framing by emphasis: Focuses on Irish solidarity with Palestine without balancing perspectives, creating a one-sided narrative.

“níorbh é sin an t-aon iarracht a bhí déanta thar na blianta chun nascanna a chruthú agus le cúnamh a thabhairt isteach i gcríocha na Palaistíne”

loaded adjectives: Describing the jail as having 'confines' and contrasting it with 'lavish lifestyle' frames the Tate brothers as hypocritical and decadent.

“the confines of a Miami jail cell measure up to the lavish lifestyle they routinely flaunt online”

outrage appeal: Listing 'rape and sex trafficking' without immediate qualification evokes moral condemnation.

“including rape and sex trafficking”

framing by emphasis: Focuses on the charges without equal emphasis on their denial, potentially prejudicing the reader.

“The brothers now face a total of 59 charges, all of which they deny”

loaded adjectives: Describing Downing Street as 'lofty halls' adds a tone of irony and grandeur, subtly mocking the office.

“ascending to the lofty halls of No 10 Downing Street”

loaded labels: Calling Burnham 'King of the North' applies a nickname that could be seen as dismissive or regionalising.

“How did he go from “King of the North” in Manchester to the top job in London?”

sensationalism: The phrase 'Good luck to him' is sarcastic, implying skepticism about Burnham’s chances.

“Good luck to him.”

framing by emphasis: Focuses on Burnham’s past failures and political fragmentation, framing his leadership as precarious.

“is Burnham inheriting a poisoned chalice”

sympathy appeal: Describing Byrne as 'the last time the 20-year-old was seen alive' evokes pathos and tragedy.

“It would be the last time the 20-year-old was seen alive”

narrative framing: Poses a rhetorical question about witnesses coming forward, implying community complicity without evidence.

“Will those in the know ever come forward?”