A friend directed me to this article, Warning over 'nanny state' term, though it won't be surprising news to many of you.
A researcher told the Public Health Association conference this week the use of the term 'nanny state' had been used increasingly in the media over the last five years, and that media articles in NZ and the UK had significantly higher uses of this term, and 'political correctness' and 'bureaucracy' than the rest of the world. From his research on the increased use of these terms, he concluded that it appeared to be driven by industries that are afraid of control over the marketing of unhealthy products.
A researcher told the Public Health Association conference this week the use of the term 'nanny state' had been used increasingly in the media over the last five years, and that media articles in NZ and the UK had significantly higher uses of this term, and 'political correctness' and 'bureaucracy' than the rest of the world. From his research on the increased use of these terms, he concluded that it appeared to be driven by industries that are afraid of control over the marketing of unhealthy products.
Speaking after his address, Dr Thomson said his advice to people hearing such terms as "nanny state" was they should be sceptical.
It was a signal someone was likely to be trying to fool them.
By using the terms, they were not trying to use a rational argument but to move arguments away from themselves and blame others.
There was a need to use language which described public health activity as stewardship which protected people; language which looked beyond slogans and the stereotyping of opposition to unhealthy products.
Governments which allowed damage to the public were creating the "ninny state", following corporate welfare policies, rather than the common good, Dr Thomson said.