troubling trend

[keannu]

What do you mean by this "troubling"? "causing problems"?

gu21)In the past, news reporters were usually very diligent about identifying the sources of information they presented. Recently, through, I've noticed a troubling trend. Reporters are neglecting their duties to the public, choosing to keep their sources anonymous...

 

[Gillnetter]

What do you mean by this "troubling"? "causing problems"?

gu21)In the past, news reporters were usually very diligent about identifying the sources of information they presented. Recently, through, I've noticed a troubling trend. Reporters are neglecting their duties to the public, choosing to keep their sources anonymous...

The writer is pointing out something that is bothering (or distrubing) him and maybe others. Another example of a "troubling trend" is that fewer and fewer fish entered the Columbia River starting in the middle of the 20th Century. This writer sees problems coming from this trend, as did the fishermen along the Columbia River in the past. Note that this "troubling trend" is seen only from the perspective of the writer. In fact, reporters have a long history of not identifying their sources.

 

[BobK]

:up::-? Sort of. 'Causing problems (=uncomfortableness, not actual difficulties) to the writer/speaker.
It may cause the same sort of confusion to readers/listeners, though I think a careful writer might choose another phrase for that - e.g. 'possibly confusing/ambiguous'.

b