In the UK, I'm the director of a company. I'm the director because there (according to my accountants) needs to be someone with the title of 'Director'. I don't do much directing, but apparently I'm in charge of that. I don't think it needs to imply anything, and I wouldn't be surprised if he quipped it at one point and the journalist went with it. Certainly, whenever I tell people I usually say it really loudly and slowly like as though I'm stupid.