Talking point

A talking point in debate or discourse is a succinct statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue. Such statements can either be free standing or created as retorts to the opposition's talking points and are frequently used in public relations, particularly in areas heavy in debate such as politics and marketing.

A political think tank will strategize the most effective informational attack on a target topic and launch talking points from media personalities to saturate discourse in order to frame a debate in their favor, standardizing the responses of sympathizers to their unique cause.

When used politically in this way, the typical purpose of a talking point is to propagandize, specifically using the technique of argumentum ad nauseam, i.e. continuous repetition within media outlets until accepted as fact.

The framing of political discourse in terms of simple talking points has been criticized by media personalities such as comedian Jon Stewart for being a superficial examination of issues.

Talking Point (Australian TV series)

Talking Point is an Australian television series which aired 1960 to 1962 on Sydney station ATN-7 (Australian TV was not fully networked at the time, and most non-imported series aired on a single station). It was a discussion series featuring a panel of four. Angus Maude was the original host, later it was hosted by Joe Gullett. In one episode, the panel criticised the banning of the book Lady Chatterley's Lover, in another episode there was a debate on the future of the United Nations, while another episode featured a discussion of the space race.

Episode status

Despite airing in an era where wiping of television series was common, three 1961 episodes are held by the National Film and Sound Archive.

References

Talk

Talk may refer to:

Software

Books

Film and TV

Music

Albums

Songs

Point

Point or points may refer to:

Business and finance

Engineering

Entertainment

Insider

An insider is a member of any group of people of limited number and generally restricted access. The term is used in the context of secret, privileged, hidden or otherwise esoteric information or knowledge: an insider is a "member of the gang" hence knows things outsiders don't, including insider jargon.

In our complicated and information-rich world, the concept of insider knowledge is popular and pervasive, as a source of direct and useful guidance. In a given situation, an insider is contrasted with an outside expert: the expert can provide an in-depth theoretical analysis that should lead to a practical opinion, while an insider has firsthand, material knowledge. Insider information may be thought of as more accurate and valuable than expert opinion.

Roles

There are many popular cultural roles ascribed to the insider.

In criminal and social justice, whistle-blowing and leaks are seen as (often heroic) efforts of individual insiders to right wrongs by making secret information public, usually in David and Goliath situations (e.g. by revealing transgressions of governments, large corporations or other powerful organizations). When whistle-blowers are cultivated by outside forces, they are known as informants and informers.