New York Times notes the rising profile of the alt-right, though most Americans haven't heard of it

Anyone who’s feeling a little confused about the “alt-right” can take comfort in knowing that even the professional journalists who can’t seem to stop writing about the movement/phenomenon need a little help settling on just what it is.

Both the Associated Press and the New York Times recently issued some guidance for their reporters.

The VP of Standards at the Associated Press has written a post about writing on the "alt-right": pic.twitter.com/5Ma6OZFW2a

— Ben Harrison (@6BenHarrison) November 28, 2016

“Racist, far-right fringe movement": @nytimes issues guidance on how to refer to “alt-right.” Read it for yourself. pic.twitter.com/VZlZCXf7LR

— Clifford Levy (@cliffordlevy) December 2, 2016

Not surprisingly, the New York Times saved the punchline for last: “We’ll be doing much more reporting on this topic, so … our readers will get a full, unvarnished picture.”

Any questions? Yes, here’s one. Why, exactly, does the Times assume it will be doing “much more reporting” on the alt-right? As promised, the paper came through over the weekend with a lengthy piece on the “alt-right makeover” now that the movement’s image has risen — courtesy of media reports.

A look at the so-called alt-right movement: "We don’t have any power — but now we’re close enough to smell it” https://t.co/lpXLmkWwrF

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 12, 2016

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Before the New York Times and other media outlets set up a dedicated desk to churn out more profiles, a new poll by Pew Research Center might be worth reviewing. According to Pew, a majority of Americans haven’t even heard of the alt-right movement.

54% of U.S. adults say they have heard “nothing at all” about the “alt-right” movement https://t.co/tuDZiveI0N pic.twitter.com/Hc0wkakfVN

— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) December 12, 2016

It seems Pew is on to something.

https://twitter.com/WClarkBoutwell/status/803251141618307072

@CNN can you put it your agenda to explain to the majority of trump voters what the "alt-right" is? Most of us never heard of it before.

— Joby hanson (@joby_hanson) December 2, 2016

I never heard of the Alt-Right until just a few weeks ago, and I was introduced to it by Dems/Libs/Progs. I skeeve it. Just sayin'…. ?

— George Cronk (@george9252) December 3, 2016

I never heard the term "alt-right" until it came out of HRC's mouth. https://t.co/D1bTTWD4YK

— Glenn The Old Biker (@Oldbikerfirst) December 4, 2016

Alt-right? It's a liberal thing, you wouldn't understand it… Most never heard of alt-right https://t.co/aj6b6Et6hO via @DCExaminer pic.twitter.com/K53HPGPCz3

— Paul Bedard (@SecretsBedard) December 12, 2016

Well, then — time for a lot more stories about the alt-right, even if reporters can’t nail down what the term means.

https://twitter.com/Cameron_Gray/status/808353988492017664

Few people had ever heard of the 'alt-right' movement before @HillaryClinton used the term in her speech. #FakeNews https://t.co/nIyzKU2d3l

— NJ (@9Joe9) December 12, 2016

Alt-right, fake-news, now Russia hack. All these noises indicate the left is still not grasping the reality that we have rejected them.

— Ming Szeto (@myszeto) December 12, 2016

There are like 5000 of them nationwide, stop your antics. I love the picture of the classy trailer park home, though.

— Sabertoothduck (@Floor_ID_a_man) December 12, 2016