Topic: NewsBusters
A June 10 NewsBusters post by P.J. Gladnick indulges in the Depiction-Equals-Approval Fallacy, baselessly asserting that by writing about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's vulgar language, Reuters reporter Charlie Devereux is saying that "a foul mouth in a nation's leader is something to be lauded if that leader happens to be Hugo Chavez of Venezuela." Gladnick's evidence: "Devereux even cites Chavez's foul mouth as a key to his success."
In fact, despite Gladnick's suggestions to the contrary, at no point in his article does Devereux praise Chavez's language -- he merely describes it and explains it by putting it into the context of the larger Venezuelan culture. And despite the suggestion of bias in the article, even Gladnick concedes that Devereux quotes a Venezuelan who isn't enamored byChavez's vulgarities.
Gladnick seems to be unclear as to the purpose of reporting. Gladnick is, quite simply, lying when he claims that Devereux supports Chavez based on this article alone.
