Props to AP for trying to get back onto an objective journalistic footing after its long phase of spectacularly partisan hackery at the hands of Washington bureau chief Ron Fournier (he left for National Journal a few weeks ago).
They've sent out a memo setting standards for how the NY mosque issue should be referred to in its wire copy:
We should continue to avoid the phrase "ground zero mosque" or "mosque at ground zero" on all platforms. (We’ve very rarely used this wording, except in slugs, though we sometimes see other news sources using the term.) The site of the proposed Islamic center and mosque is not at ground zero, but two blocks away in a busy commercial area. We should continue to say it’s "near" ground zero, or two blocks away....
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
_ mosque near WTC site
We can refer to the project as a mosque, or as a proposed Islamic center that includes a mosque.
It may be useful in some stories to note that Muslim prayer services have been held since 2009 in the building that the new project will replace. The proposal is to create a new, larger Islamic community center that would include a mosque, a swimming pool, gym, auditorium and other facilities.
The memo then proceeds to itemize for reference the most demagogic claims various Republicans have made against the proposed center and its backers and carefully sets out beside each quote the actual facts and their proper context in an informed and dispassionate way.
Republicans know how important it is to frame their wedge issues using carefully chosen Luntz-tested hot-button words.
If you want to see how furiously bent out of shape the right wing are now that AP is helping to "bring shariah to America", check it out here and enjoy.