[EL] Nomenclature

[Greenberg, Kevin]

Despite the more recent posturing in the thread, I actually think the “apocalypse” discussion may be a little illuminating, as much for the need for a clear and convincing statement of what we all mean.

No pride of authorship here, and feel free to improve these names, but it would seem useful if the academics would adopt some standard discussion rubric that defines (i) the standards to which the publisher adheres, and (ii) the truthiness and transparency of the funders.

Would it be possible for us to agree on the following terminology:


·        “Speech” means speech and NOT money or press as Jon so ably pointed out



·        “Traditional Press” for press coverage that aspires to be fair and consistent with journalistic ethics (understanding that there are commercial pressures and trying to resist them)



·        “Editorial Press” for press coverage that does not hold itself to journalistic ethics of impartiality (RedState, DailyKos, Sean Hannity, editorial page endorsements)


·        “Paid Media” or “Purchased Press” for traditional first-party funded media campaigns


·        “Transparently-Funded Third-Party Press” for third party expenditures by a group where there is no secret as to who is funding (e.g independent expenditures labeled as “Paid for by George Soros”; “Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters”)


·        “Obscured-Funded Third-Party Press” for groups that are not obvious as to the funders are (“Paid for Better America Patriots for Liberty”)


·        “Deceptively-Funded Third-Party Press” for groups who use misleading names to hide their agendas.

There are gray lines on all of these, still.  But having some sort of collective standard might make it easier for us to understand each other.

As a “reformer” I don’t even know what I mean by “Dark Money” – I think I mean BOTH of the last two items, but I’m not sure.  And we don’t do well with an academic discussion driven by Jacobellis interpretations of important policy considerations.

Kevin
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