AP rules that calling ACA the 'Affordable Care Act' is 'promotional'

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

In AP news reports, our preference is to use wording like “the nation’s new health insurance system,” “the health care overhaul” or “the new health care law.”

Terms like “Obamacare” and the Affordable Care Act have their downsides:

_ “Obamacare” was coined by opponents of the law and is still used by them in a derogatory manner. It’s true that the White House, and even Obama himself, have used the term on occasion. But the administration hasn’t totally embraced “Obamacare” and still uses the Affordable Care Act much of the time. We’re sticking with our previous approach to “Obamacare”: AP writers should use it in quotes, or in formulations like “the law, sometimes known as Obamacare, provides for …”

_ The Affordable Care Act is the official name of the law. However, its very name is promotional; opponents believe it will not be affordable for individuals or the country. Also, polling indicates that not all Americans know the law by this name. AP writers can use the term when necessary to refer to the law, but should do so sparingly.

Read more: http://blog.ap.org/2013/10/01/what-to-call-it-obamacare-affordable-care-act-new-health-care-law/

[Hayabusa]

1. Showing where their loyalties lie, aren't they?

[randome]

2. That is incredibly lame. A news organization is supposed to report the facts.

Not parse words to decide if the actual law's name is uncomfortable for some.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. AP has long been suspect. No Child Left Behind?

I don't remember media censoring themselves on that bullshit and promotional law.

This republic is dead and just doesn't know it yet. Fucked up media shilling for the owner class 0.1%

[marmar]

4. Yeah, and "War on Terror" isn't a tautology or anything, right AP?

[deutsey]

5. "Also, polling indicates that not all Americans know the law by this name."

Um, all the more reason for reporters to refer to it more often?

[KoKo]

7. Agree!

[seabeyond]

6. wow and these very citizens will never learn the name of the law especially seeing how media wont

fuckin use the name. cant hardly blame the citizenry on this one

[Berlum]

8. AP shit the cred bed long ago.

This is just further evidence.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. So it's bye-bye to the 'Patriot Act' too, in that case?

Are they going to coin a less Orwellian name for that dog's dinner? Somehow, I suspect not.

[Newsjock]

10. ^^^ This

In this case, the AP's hypocrisy is stunning.

[Berlum]

15. ...and "Homeland Security" (R)

if the Repubbies do it, it's a-ok with AP Inc. (R).

[srican69]

11. you mean like 'Blue Skies' that gutted the clean air act or 'Healthy forests' was a give away to

timber companies...

[FSogol]

12. What do they call the Washington Redskins Football team? Or what do they call PNC Park?

Sounds promotional to me?

[LaydeeBug]

13. When W was installed, they wanted reporters to fix his grammar for him. nt

[Uncle Joe]

14. Who gives a rats ass if the official name is promotional, it's the official name of the law!

Furthermore what the hell does "not all Americans know the law by name" have to do with anything, isn't it AP's job to enlighten and inform the people with factual informatiion?

Thanks for the thread, Newsjock.