Abraham Frei-Pearson - Sensitivity

Writing with cultural sensitivity is a key component of good journalism. People, not just white male people, follow mass media. It is important to craft language in a way that is inclusive and not offensive to whoever might be reading it. This means being careful about using words or phrases that one might think are innocuous. For example, the phrase "sexual preference" looks unoffensive at first glance, but remember that the word "preference" implies a choice, as though one prefers to be gay or straight. "Sexual Orientation" is the preferred term. The skilled journalist must be acutely aware of the cultures and groups about which he or she is writing.