"First reference" is the first time a person, thing, or entity is identified in a news story.
An "acronym" is formed from the initial letters of a person, thing, or entity that is too unwieldy for everyday speech, or is unfamiliar to the general public.
Modern journalism style teaches that the full name of an entity be presented using it's full name on first reference. For example, "National Weather Service" is correct on first reference. "NWS" on first reference is not correct style usage and might tend to confuse listeners, readers, or viewers.
Fort Wayne TV stations have a bad habit of identifying entities using an acronym on first reference in their news stories. Whether this is ignorance or just plain laziness remains to be seen.
The most common example is using or saying "FWCS" instead of spelling out or saying "Fort Wayne Community Schools". To be fair, the use of "FWCS" on second and subsequent references makes perfect sense.
WANE-15's Sierra Tufts has taken this laziness a step further. Tonight, in reporting on Northwest Allen County Schools, Ms. Tufts abbreviated the acronym (NACS) with a nickname: "NAX" on first reference. In each and every subsequent reference, NACS was renamed "NAX". Not once did she use N-A-C-S or Northwest Allen County Schools as an alternative. No, each time the school system was referred to as: "NAX".
Tonight's presentation was more than just annoying. The Northwest Allen County teacher, who brought this to the Maven's attention, regarded it as an insult and a slight to her, her students, and the school system.
In case you wanted to know what a NAX really is:
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