Labeling

Labeling

Labeling is the propagandist technique of using a EUPHEMISM to increase the perceived quality, credibility, or credence of a particular ideal. The propagandist uses a DYSPHEMISM to discredit, diminish the perceived quality, or hurt the perceived righteousness of "the Mark". By creating a "label" or "category" or "faction" of a population, it is much easier to make an example of these larger bodies, because the propagandist can uplift or defame "the Mark" without actually incurring legal-defamation.

If the propagandist uses the label on too-many perceivable credible individuals, muddying up the word can be done by broadcasting bad-examples of "the Mark" into the media.

Labeling can be thought of as a sub-set of GUILT BY ASSOCIATION, another logical fallacy and propagandist technique.

Also see: Fallacy: Personal Attack

"A personal attack is committed when a person substitutes abusive remarks for evidence when attacking another person's claim or claims. This line of "reasoning" is fallacious because the attack is directed at the person making the claim and not the claim itself. The truth value of a claim is independent of the person making the claim. After all, no matter how repugnant an individual might be, he or she can still make true claims."