A fundamental problem with contemporary journalistic terminology

I've always been appalled by the way the press uses the word "fundamentalist-" the name of an historical movement in American Protestantism actually aimed at reducing the barriers between denominations by identifying the "essentials" of the Faith- as what Martin Marty (one of the worst offenders, ironically) once called "an ecclesiastical cuss word."

"Fundamentalist" is a nasty name journalists call people anywhere theologically to the Right of themselves. Conversely, "moderate" is journalese for "liberal," "liberal" for "radical," and....well, you get the picture.

Interesting thoughts over at Get Religion on how these terms are being (mis)used by the media with reference to recent controversies in the Roman communion.