Active and Passive

[jsburbidge]

 In journalism, the use of the passive voice, usually discouraged elsewhere stylistically, seems to be endemic in headlines.

 

The problem is that the impact of the headline becomes very different when the agent is omitted. The CBC has a headline: "Carney attacked for wanting 'free ride,' 'hiding' from public amid latest campaign break". It would leave a different impression if it said "Leaders of the CPC and Bloc attack Carney for wanting 'free ride,' 'hiding' from public amid latest campaign break", which is in fact what the article is about.

Comments

[dewline]

If I remember right, that's considered a rule. Required as part of the "don't involve yourself directly" editorial advice to all reporters...?