propaganda technique

Whataboutism

Also called: What about...?, Tu quoque (variant)

Whataboutism answers a criticism by pointing to someone else's wrongdoing instead of addressing the criticism itself.

How it works

"What about...?" moves the conversation to a different case, ideally one that embarrasses the critic. Both wrongs can be real, but the second does not answer the first.

Examples

Asked about press freedom at home, an official replies: "What about the journalists arrested in your country?"

Arrests elsewhere do not answer the question about press freedom here.

"Why are you criticising our party's scandal? What about theirs last year?"

The other party's scandal is a separate matter.

How to spot it

The reply starts with "what about" or "and yet they...".
The original issue is left unanswered.
Two wrongs are offered as if they cancel out.

How to respond

Agree to discuss the other case later, then repeat the question.
Point out that both can be wrong at once.
Ask for a direct answer to the original criticism.