The trend toward secrecy is the greatest threat to democracy.”

— Associated Press CEO, in a speech about the importance of openness

The official response is we decline to respond.”

— Associated Press Director of Media Relations, replying to questions about AP

By ALISON WEIR
If Americans Knew
Also in Counter Punch
March 17, 2006

In the midst of journalism’s “Sunshine Week” – during which the Associated Press and other news organizations are valiantly proclaiming the public’s “right to know” – AP insists on conducting its own activities in the dark, and refuses to answer even the simplest questions about its system of international news reporting.

Most of all, it refuses to explain why it erased footage of an Israeli soldier intentionally shooting a Palestinian boy.

AP, according to its website, is the world’s oldest and largest news organization. It is the behemoth of news reporting, providing what its editors determine is the news to a billion people each day. Through its feeds to thousands of newspapers, radio and television stations, AP is a major determinant in what Americans read, hear and see – and what they don’t.

Read the rest at If Americans Only Knew Dot Org.

Browse Timeline

• « Rachel’s message amplified in New york
• » Google erases Palestine

Related Entries

Human Rights Watch retracts statement on nonviolent resistance in Gaza...Israeli army forces Palestinians to be human shields...WANTED: EYE WITNESS TESTIMONY TO ISRAELI WAR CRIMES...Get your blog blocked by the Chinese government...Jake Writes...