Increasing the Pressure on the AP

By Fester

Extending on Cernig's remarks this morning concerning the Associated Press's assertion that they have resolved their linking matter, I want to lay out another step that should be effective in increasing the pressure on the AP to conform to standard fair use practices. 

The AP is a collection of newspapers which funds its operations and also buys its content.  And here the disconnect that underlies the AP's actions is exposed.  The AP has been looking at their cash proposition --- selling stories to interested users, instead of their customers' value proposition --- increasing the number of eyeballs that their advertisers can reach. 

The AP's core value is in providing stories to their users that are used to drive paper or electronic traffic.  Underneath that value is the assumption that the AP is a fair broker of information.  By mocking and ridiculing the core brand of the AP, one diminishes the unique value proposition that the AP offers.

As we have seen in political campaigns, people use the internet to research stories, candidates and organizations.  And here is an opportunity.  We can replicate the efforts of individuals like Chris Bower and his Searching for John McCain campaign and create a targeted Google Search Engine Optimization effort (Google Bombing) so that casual readers are easily able to see our story and argument.  Right now I propose all mentions of the Associated Press or the AP be hyperlinked to the http://www.unassociatedpress.net/ address.

Updated for grammar and readability

Comments

[Steve Hynd]

ROFLMAO

[wendell]

I have suggested that further references to that news organization use the valid abbreviation "Ass. Press", but I guess that would defuse the Googlebomb, eh?