Folk music is probably the most clearly defined well researched, documented and published of any other musical form and the basis of all this documentation dates back to 1846 when William Thom coined the term 'Folk'.
From then till now, nobody has produced an alternative definition, so whatever misuse the term is put to, that definition remains - it refers to a music, song, arraive, custom, belief.... from a specific social group, serving a specific cultural purpose.
So is anybody can come up with an alternative acceptable to us all --- "then bring your witness love and I'll never deny you".... as the song says.
A small group of self-interested folkies who can't even agree among themselves doesn't hack it, I'm afraid (neither does the predatory pontifications of a self-interested music industry).
I'll show you my books if you'll show me yours.
Jim Carroll