Politico bans journalists from using language that would offend the progressive left

It has been revealed that in January of 2022, Politico issued a style guide to reporters, obtained by Amber Athey for The Spectator, listing words that should not be used— including ones related to transgender issues, the border, and words they say contain racist origins.

The style guide says that reporters for the outlet should avoid gendered words like "mankind," "man-made," "manhunt," "waiter," and "waitress," as well as referencing to someone as a "biological woman," "biological female," "biological male," or "biological man," and using the terms "biological gender" or "biological sex."

The style guide also tells reports to avoid words and phrases with connotations to slavery, including "crack the whip," which is "unacceptable because of origins in slavery," "cake walk," which "'originates during slavery' and thus perpetuates 'racist motifs,'" and "peanut gallery," which Politico states is "the cheapest seats often occupied by Black people and people with low incomes."

In regards to illegal immigration and the southern border, reporters are told to avoid using "illegal immigrant" or "illegal alien," "anchor baby," and in reference to those crossing the southern border illegally: "onslaught," "tidal wave," "flood," "inundation," "surge," "invasion," "army," "march," "sneak," and "stealth." Reporters are also encouraged not to use the phrase "third-world country," being deemed too "derogatory."

Reporters are also warned against saying that a transgender person "identifies as" a certain gender, or call the situation at the southern border a "crisis" because "while the sharp increase in the arrival of unaccompanied minors is a problem for border officials, a political challenge for the Biden administration and a dire situation for many migrants who make the journey, it does not fit the dictionary definition of a crisis."

A section called "Standards on Culture & Inclusivity" urged reporters not to use "pro-choice" or "pro-life" outside of quotes, and use "abortion rights," abortion rights supporter," and "anti-abortion."

In regards to the topic of abortion, reporters are urged to use "gender-neutral language like 'people who seek abortions' or 'patients who seek abortions' rather than 'women who seek abortions,' as there are non-female-identifying people who are able to become pregnant," and "late-term abortion" should not be used, instead "abortion later in pregnancy should be used."

"Generally, avoid references to a transgender person being born a boy or girl, and opt for phrasing such as 'identified at birth as boy/girl,'" the guide stated. "A person’s biology does not take precedence over their gender identity, and such oversimplifications can invalidate the person’s current, authentic gender."

In regards to race, the guide states that "Unlike Black, white should not be capitalized in any instances."