Reptile

see also Journo

Reptile was allegedly a word used by the late Denis Thatcher of blessed memory, to describe the gentlemen and ladies of the fourth estate.

Actually, I rather like reptiles and resent them being compared to Journos.

Funnily enough, a chum of mine who was a snapper for a red top hated being called a reptile, so I suggest you use the phrase at every opportunity when talking to the press.