Death knell ringing for AP?

After the Associated Press tried to start charging bloggers per word, a lot of bloggers, including myself, discussed the futility of such a practice and why AP would do such a thing in the age of the Google News algorithm. I’m not saying I told you so, but…..this is not looking good.

At least four more daily papers are planning to drop the Associated Press in the wake of new rates being announced, including The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash, which is trying to cut ties without the required two-year notice.

…skip

Other dailies that have already given notice to AP are The Bakersfield Californian and The Yakima Herald-Republic and Wenatchee World, both of Washington. They joined The Post Register of Idaho Falls, which informed AP of plans to drop the service last week.

An AP VP quoted in the Editor & Publisher story says that the last time they changed the rate structure, there was a similar rash of cancellations, so they’re not worried; in fact the positive responses have far outweighed the negative ones, she said.

However, in 1984, there was no Google. Now there is. AP better prepare to start handing out stuff for free.

One thought on “Death knell ringing for AP?

  1. Edward Padgett

    Associated Press has this turned upside down, they should pay the bloggers for every user sent to their stories via our links. I joined the boycott in June of AP and will not be using any material from their writers or wire services.

    The boycott can be found here.

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