Douglas Fischer of Common Sense Journalism explains the language of reporterese. (Btw: “Taxpayers” money’ is invoked only when writing about government programs of which the reporter disapproves.)
ACTIVIST: Vocal busybody whom the reporter likes.
ARCHCONSERVATIVE, ULTRARIGHTIST: Since the world apparently holds no archliberals or ultraleftists, these must be people who the reporter thinks are very bad indeed.
BRIGHTLY COLORED CLOTHING: People from Washington state to Washington, D.C., wear all kinds of bright colors, so this signals that the reporter found the Third Worlders’ native garb on this occasion particularly absurd.
DREAM HOME: Synonym for any house ever bought or built by any American.
EPICENTER: The very middle of the core of the center, a signal that the reporter doesn’t know what the word actually means.
FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM: Since the term “robust ecosystem” is unknown, this means that the reporter adamantly opposes the development of this area and probably wants a substantial amount of money spent to keep it just the way it is.
GADFLY: Vocal busybody whom the reporter finds kind of funny.
IDEOLOGUE: Vocal busybody whom the reporter dislikes.
MAINSTREAM OPINION: The reporter’s opinion.