AP Tells Reporters: Avoid 'Ground Zero Mosque'

The Associated Press has issued guidelines for its reporters and headline writers regarding a certain proposed development near ground zero. Full memo here, or for highlights:

• "We should continue to avoid the phrase 'ground zero mosque' or 'mosque at ground zero' on all platforms." Instead, "say it’s 'near' ground zero, or two blocks away."
• "We can refer to the project as a mosque, or as a proposed Islamic center that includes a mosque."

• "In short headlines, some ways to refer to the project include: 'mosque 2 blocks from WTC site,' 'Muslim (or Islamic) center near WTC site,' 'mosque near ground zero,' and 'mosque near WTC site.'"

As a reminder to staff, AP is changing its own internal story slugs from "Ground Zero Mosque" to "NYC Mosque." Bah, says Michelle Malkin, who calls the style memo "a re-tread of a pro-mosque talking points memo."
(More Ground Zero mosque stories.)