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New AP style updates: Race-related coverage

September 24, 2020 by Nicki Donnelson

Recently, the AP Stylebook updated sections related to race.

A few highlights include:

Race-related coverage (revised): Writing about issues involving race calls for thoughtful consideration, precise language, and discussions with others of diverse backgrounds.
The racist, racism section added detail on systemic racism, structural racism and institutional racism.
The people of color, racial minority section is replaced by separate sections on each term. Among the points: Don’t use BIPOC, BAME or POC unless necessary in a quote; if used in a quote, explain it. Many people object to those terms on varying grounds. Use people of color only when necessary in broad references to multiple races other than white.
New entries on Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth and slaves, enslaved people.

There were new entries added (not in the race-related coverage entry)on:

Defund: To stop providing or to reduce funds, especially government funds, for a program, group, etc. The term is sometimes misrepresented as abolishing police. Avoid using the term other than in a direct quotation; if used in a quotation, explain and provide detail about what is being sought.
Kung Flu: Do not use this racist nickname for COVID-19, including in a direct quotation. Instead, paraphrase and refer to a racist slur for the disease.
Looting, looters: Apply the word looters carefully and specifically to those who engage in looting. Avoid the labeling and the stigmatizing of larger communities, groups or all protesters.
Riot, unrest, protest, demonstration, uprising, revolt:Use care in deciding which term best applies.

Every time you log into AP Stylebook Online, you can easily find recent updates by clicking on “New Entries” or “Recent Changes” on your subscriber homepage.

Associated Press style updates: Capitalization of Black and Indigenous

June 25, 2020 by University Communications

There is an important change to AP style with regard to the capitalization of Black and Indigenous.

From now on, capitalize Black in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense. This conveys an essential and shared sense of history, identity and community among people who identify as Black, including those in the African diaspora and within Africa. The lowercase black refers to a color, not a person.

Also, capitalize Indigenous in reference to original inhabitants of a place.

These two changes align with long-standing capitalization of other racial and ethnic identifiers, such as Latino, Asian American and Native American.

The updates become part of the AP Stylebook’s race-related coverage guidance, which begins:

“Avoid broad generalizations and labels; race and ethnicity are one part of a person’s identity. Identifying people by race and reporting on actions that have to do with race often go beyond simple style questions, challenging journalists to think broadly about racial issues before having to make decisions on specific situations and stories.

“In all coverage — not just race-related coverage — strive to accurately represent the world, or a particular community, and its diversity through the people you quote and depict in all formats. Omissions and lack of inclusion can render people invisible and cause anguish.”

Missouri State has a limited membership to the online AP Stylebook. More information on each of these entries is available in the online guide. If you create content for the university, contact Andrea Mostyn to request access.

Associated Press style updates: Coronavirus

May 14, 2020 by University Communications

The Associated Press is maintaining a coronavirus topical guide that includes many rulings on spelling and common usage. The university is following this guide when writing and editing.

Updates and additions

coronaviruses (revised)

A family of viruses, some of which cause disease in people and animals, named for crownlike spikes on their surfaces.

The viruses can cause the common cold or more severe diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and COVID-19, the latter of which first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about COVID-19. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, it is clear in this context. Also acceptable on first reference: the new coronavirus or the new virus for the virus; COVID-19 for the disease caused by the virus.

Passages and stories focusing on the science of the disease require sharper distinctions.

COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. When referring specifically to the virus, the COVID-19 virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are acceptable.

But, because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write a new virus called COVID-19. Also incorrect are usages such as COVID-19 spreads through the air; scientists are investigating how long COVID-19 may remain on surfaces; she worries about catching COVID-19. In each of those, it should be the coronavirus, not COVID-19.

Do not shorten to COVID, even in headlines, unless part of a quotation or proper name.

In stories, do not refer simply to coronavirus without the article the. Not: She is concerned about coronavirus. Omitting the is acceptable in headlines and in uses such as: He said coronavirus concerns are increasing.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, breathing trouble, sore throat, muscle pain, and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

SARS is acceptable on first reference for the disease first identified in Asia in 2003. Spell out severe acute respiratory syndrome later in the story.

MERS is acceptable on first reference for the disease first identified in 2012. Spell out Middle East respiratory syndrome later in the story.

COVID-19

All capitalized; stands for coronavirus disease 2019.

cancel, canceled, canceling, cancellation

CARES Act

Avoid using this term unless in a direct quotation in reference to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Instead, use phrasing such as the coronavirus relief bill, the coronavirus aid bill, the coronavirus rescue package, etc., for the U.S. government’s $2.2 trillion package to help businesses, workers and the health care system. Do not refer to it as a stimulus or a stimulus package, etc.

contact tracing (new)

The practice of tracking down and monitoring people who have been in close proximity to someone who is infected. Do not enclose in quotation marks. Include a hyphen for clarity when used as a modifier: The state’s contact-tracing efforts. Consider rephrasing to avoid the term or for variety: The state’s efforts to identify people who have had close contact with the nursing home worker.

contagion (new)

Avoid this term. Usually better to use words like disease or illness, or more specific words like virus.

distance learning (n., adj.)

No hyphen. Examples: Schools are turning to distance learning. He is taking a distance learning class.

epidemic, pandemic

An epidemic is the rapid spread of disease in a certain population or region; a pandemic is an epidemic that has spread worldwide. Follow declarations of public health officials when writing. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Do not write global pandemic, which is redundant.

hand-washing

Use a hyphen.

health care

Don’t use a hyphen.

nonessential

Do not use a hyphen.

patient

Only use if someone is being or has been treated by a medical professional. The vast majority of people with the virus are not hospitalized, and some may not seek care, so avoid using patients to refer to all people with the virus.

personal protective equipment

Don’t use PPE. If necessary to use PPE in a direct quotation, spell it out and explain the term.

shelter in place (v.), shelter-in-place (adj.)

Examples: The governor urged residents to shelter in place. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order.

stay at home (v.), stay-at-home (adj.)

shutdown (n.), shut down (v.)

social distancing, socially distancing

No quote marks, no hyphen: Examples: The CDC is urging social distancing. The parents are taking social distancing precautions. They’ve been socially distancing themselves.

New AP style updates: Race-related coverage

Associated Press style updates: Capitalization of Black and Indigenous

Associated Press style updates: Coronavirus