Look at my post 146. I mentioned it to a friend and he reminded me of Half-moon and Full-moon clips for revolvers which fire semi-automatic ammunition. A Smith and Wesson 25 is chambered for .45 Auto and uses Full-moon clips.
He also brought up the discussion as you did as far as wondering just what the reporters had correct.
I think the average reporter uses revolver and hand-gun interchangeably, and if you say semi-auto to them, they think of a full-auto set on three shot bursts. The idea of how a cartridge or shell is chambered wouldn't even enter their minds.