Can you spot the double standard?
A government official leaks classified information to the press. Is the response the same regardless of who benefits from the leak?
Click to revealLeaks that benefit those in power are "strategic communications." Leaks that expose wrongdoing are "threats to national security." Same action, opposite labels.
Two similar protests occur in different communities. Does each receive the same media framing and airtime?
Click to revealOne protest is called a "rally" while the other is labeled a "riot." Coverage volume, expert selection, and visual framing differ systematically based on participants.
Two professionals with identical credentials pursue aggressive career advancement. Are they described with the same adjectives?
Click to reveal"Driven" vs. "pushy." "Confident" vs. "aggressive." The same behavior earns praise or criticism depending on who displays it.
A large institution and a small business both face financial failure due to poor decisions. Does society respond identically?
Click to reveal"Too big to fail" rescues institutions with public funds. Small businesses receive lectures about personal responsibility. Scale determines sympathy.
An individual collects data about a corporation, and a corporation collects data about an individual. Are both treated the same legally?
Click to revealIndividual data collection: "hacking," criminal prosecution. Corporate data collection: "business intelligence," terms of service. Legality follows power.
Lawmakers create regulations that apply to the public. Do those same regulations apply to the lawmakers themselves?
Click to revealInsider trading laws, workplace safety rules, healthcare mandates -- repeatedly, rule-makers exempt themselves from the rules they impose on others.