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Why does news oulets report on offcials as their country as a whole? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by [email protected] to c/asklemmy

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I don't know who started this, but I always feel frustrated when I see headline along the lines of "USA says" or "China signal", countries are not people.

I don't understand why don't even the best news outlets put headlines like " Official x said this on official order on USA" Or something like that.

I really don't understand who came up with this way of reporting where they report on officials as their country and I always thought that this is dumb.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

In that case, it can reported on in formal way.

"Russian official said" Or even "Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs said Russia should try to calm down".

You get my point.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

They are 'representatives'. The US President or relevant diplomat literally speak for the country which is why the language is appropriate. Like it or not, your leader (and their delegates) speaks for you in an official capacity which is what that kind of dialogue describes. The extra specificity you desire is superfluous and actually subtracts from truly describing what is going on.

Being awarded with a Medal of Honour by Biden? No. Biden isn't giving you a datta-boy. The entire nation is expressing their gratitude. Is it fair that an entire nation gets marred by 1 individual's buffoonery (exhibit A: Trump's entire first term)? No. Accurate? Yes (see the next 4 years).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headline#Headlinese