# Tragedy? When humanitarian language becomes oppressive | Rethinking Humanitarianism

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-new-humanitarian-1146231/tragedy-when-humanitarian-language-becomes-oppressive-rethinking-humanitarianism
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-new-humanitarian-1146231/tragedy-when-humanitarian-language-becomes-oppressive-rethinking-humanitarianism.md
Podcast: [The New Humanitarian](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-new-humanitarian-1146231)
Published: 2026-03-12T13:35:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/podcast/rethinking-humanitarianism
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/humanitarianpodcast/RH_Oppressive-Language_03062026_V2_MIX.mp3?dest-id=762415
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-new-humanitarian-1146231/episodes/tragedy-when-humanitarian-language-becomes-oppressive-rethinking-humanitarianism
Duration seconds: 1761

## Resource

Is it problematic to call human suffering a "tragedy"? Even well-intentioned humanitarian language can harm, says Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway. She argues that the language humanitarians use can perpetuate systems of violence that cause crises. In this episode, Mogstad gives examples of counter-productive language, and discusses ways to improve. Guests: Heidi Mogstad, senior researcher at the Chr. Michelsen Institute in Norway. Got a question or feedback? Email podcast@thenewhumanitarian.org or post on social media using the hashtag #RethinkingHumanitarianism. Show Notes: Oppressive Language and Humanitarian Complicity: Reflections on Gaza and European Border Violence

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-new-humanitarian-1146231/episodes/tragedy-when-humanitarian-language-becomes-oppressive-rethinking-humanitarianism/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-new-humanitarian-1146231/tragedy-when-humanitarian-language-becomes-oppressive-rethinking-humanitarianism.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.