Variety received an impassioned letter, signed by 80 or so independent producers, that's asking editors to be a little more judicious in our choice of words. The letter is posted in full at the usual spot (Opinions From the Front), but here's the jist:

November 12, 2007

Dear Editors,

The public has been led to believe that we independent producers are sitting opposite the writers at the bargaining table (or across the picket lines). It is not true.

We respectfully ask that your publications and reporters cease referring to the ongoing negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers as between “writers and producers.” The Alliance represents the studios, the networks, and the international conglomerates that own them, not working producers.

[snip]

It serves the studios’ interests to pretend to represent individual producers instead of corporate entities. We would ask that you, as responsible members of the media, stop abetting this charade and call upon your reporters to cease equating independent producers (who are not negotiators or direct stakeholders in this process, and the vast majority of whom side with the writers) with international conglomerates.

Sincerely,

[The full letter, along with the names of all 82 producers, can be found here.]