Desjtelling

Desjtelling is a term used in media studies and narrative analysis to describe a deliberate practice of altering the disclosure of information in order to control a narrative. The concept focuses on the suppression, omission, or reframing of details that would otherwise be part of a communicative event, such as a news report, corporate disclosure, or personal testimony. The term is a neologism that has appeared in academic and professional discussions since the early 2020s, though its exact definition and scope vary.

Etymology and scope suggest that desjtelling combines a prefix indicating removal or negation with the act of telling or narration. It is distinct from euphemism or censorship in that it foregrounds the strategic structuring of what counts as “the story,” rather than merely substituting language.

Techniques and contexts commonly associated with desjtelling include omitting or summarizing key details, sanitizing or generalizing language, reorganizing chronology to obscure causality, and repositioning focus away from sensitive elements. Contexts range from journalism and corporate communications to public policy discourse and interpersonal conversations. Desjtelling can be explicit, with stated intent to suppress, or implicit, arising from framing choices that shape audience interpretation.

Implications and critique emphasize ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability. Critics link desjtelling to misinformation, censorship, or spin, while proponents may view it as risk management, privacy protection, or audience-appropriate framing. The boundary between necessary editing for clarity and manipulative distortion remains debated.

See also: censorship, spin, redaction, framing, narrative ethics, transparency.