NPR Standards Limit ‘ObamaCare’
Shhh – don’t say that word so much!
NPR’s standards editor Stuart Seidel sent a memo to editors and reporters on the term “ObamaCare” and its appropriateness: “‘Obamacare’ seems to be straddling somewhere between being a politically-charged term and an accepted part of the vernacular. … But word choices do leave an impression. Please avoid overusing ‘Obamacare.’ On first reference, it’s best to refer to the ‘Affordable Care Act’ or ‘the health care law.’ On later references, feel free to use ‘Obamacare’ but mix it up with other ways to refer to the law.” Of course, the real reason is that “Affordable Care Act” polls better than ObamaCare, and NPR wouldn’t want to hurt their man in the White House.
Speaking of polling, remember Jimmy Kimmel asking which people prefer: ObamaCare OR the Affordable Care Act.
