The recent military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, sparked a debate over the use of titles and names in journalism. On January 3, 2024, during live coverage, NPR journalists mistakenly referred to Pete Hegseth as the “secretary of war.” Hegseth serves as the secretary of defense, a title that remains unchanged unless Congress officially redefines it. This incident underscores the ongoing struggle between adhering to established terminology and adapting to new political language introduced by the Trump administration.
NPR has established guidelines to navigate this evolving landscape. The organization advises its journalists to use “defense secretary” and “Department of Defense,” while noting that “Department of War” is an alternate title proposed by President Trump. Tony Cavin, managing editor for standards at NPR, emphasized the importance of clarity and legality in reporting. For now, the media outlet will continue using the established titles unless official changes occur.
During the live broadcast, three different NPR journalists mistakenly referred to Hegseth with the new title. Host Daniel Estrin first introduced him as “Secretary of War,” and senior correspondents Greg Myre and Franco Ordoñez followed suit. Although some segments of the show correctly used “defense secretary,” the overlap in titles raised concerns about the potential confusion among listeners. Cavin noted, “The main rule is if it becomes something that almost anybody of any stripe is saying, then that’s how language changes.”
The issue of renaming extends beyond military titles. President Trump has also attempted to change the names of various geographic and cultural landmarks. The Gulf of Mexico has been renamed the Gulf of America, and the Kennedy Center has been designated as the Trump-Kennedy Center. Furthermore, the nation’s highest peak, Denali, has reverted to its former name, Mount McKinley. Linguist John McWhorter commented on the implications of these changes, stating that such attempts to manipulate language are often politically motivated.
NPR has chosen to adhere to established names for geographical locations. For example, it continues to refer to the Gulf of Mexico, arguing that it is an internationally recognized body of water. In the case of the Kennedy Center, the outlet will maintain the original name until legal challenges to the change are resolved. The mountain will remain Mount McKinley for now, as President Trump has the authority to rename landmarks, just as President Barack Obama did when renaming it Denali in 2015.
In reporting, journalists often utilize the practice of second references to clarify any confusion arising from name changes. By providing both the established and new titles, they aim to ensure that audiences remain informed without compromising the integrity of their reporting. While some listeners expressed concern over the administration’s approach to language, the general consensus among linguists suggests that changes should reflect natural evolution rather than imposed ideology.
Language plays a crucial role in democracy, and the manipulation of terminology can influence public perception. Recently, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the risks of “Orwellian language” in communication, emphasizing the need for clarity and truth in discourse. As NPR navigates these challenges, its commitment to clear communication remains paramount.
As the debate over language continues, NPR and other media organizations face the task of balancing the introduction of new terminology with the need to maintain established conventions. This effort is essential for fostering informed public discourse while ensuring that journalism serves its fundamental purpose: to inform without bias.
