How to identify the Red Herring fallacy?

What is the distraction tactic in public communication?

The red herring fallacy introduces irrelevant information to divert attention from the main issue. Political interviews, debates, and commentary frequently employ this strategy to avoid answering difficult questions.

An example is shifting a conversation about healthcare to unrelated economic statistics. The audience’s focus moves away from the original point, allowing the speaker to escape accountability.

To identify red herrings, ask whether the new topic directly addresses the original question or merely distracts from it. Staying focused on the central issue strengthens critical evaluation.