"Likely" referring?

"Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason."

I guess it's time to break down and buy the current version of the AP Stylebook. I wonder if they intended that this story "likely" related to this other piece of AP work. (It's okay; "cheap shot" is an entry.)