Tag: media

An “opinion leader” is one whose opinions about something have a significant impact on the opinions of others.

“Five o’clock follies” is a familiar and derogatory nickname for the daily press briefings that the U.S. military held for American reporters during the Vietnam War.

A “backgrounder” is an off-the-record briefing for members of the news media.

“Off the record” is a term used in journalism meaning that the information given to the reporter cannot be attributed to the person saying it.

A “lid” is what White House press secretaries use to indicate that there will be no news coming out of the White House that day.

“The Great Mentioner” describes the phenomenon whereby certain people are “mentioned” to journalists as possible candidates for higher office.

A “press gaggle” is an informal briefing by the White House press secretary that, unlike a backgrounder, is on the record.

A phrase used by Vice President Spiro Agnew to refer to the members of the media with whom he had a very acrimonious relationship.

A “pen and pad briefing” is a briefing held by lawmakers or White House officials at which video and photography is not allowed.

A “gotcha question” is one posed by a reporter in an effort to trick a politician into looking stupid or saying something damaging.

Godwin’s Law is a term first promulgated in 1990 by author and lawyer Mike Godwin.

The “Washington Read” is the phenomenon by which, through a form of intellectual osmosis, a book is absorbed “inside the Beltway.”

The “full Ginsburg” refers to an appearance by one person on all five major Sunday-morning interview shows on the same day:

The “Fourth Estate” refers to the news media, especially with regards to their role in the political process.

A photo-op is short for a “photo opportunity,” an event specifically staged for television news cameras or photographers to increase a politician’s exposure.

“Politics ain’t beanbag” Is an old-fashioned way of saying that politics can be rough.