AP Updates Attribution Guidelines, Links Not Mentioned

======================================================================

AP Updates Attribution Guidelines, Links Not Mentioned
September 4, 2010

http://www.WebProNews.com

======================================================================
Is the AP asking its reporters to do what it has frowned upon
in the past?

Share with other WebProNews readers.

http://www.webpronews.com/node/55723/talk

======================================================================

30-day Free Trial Offer: Avalara Software Development Kit (SDK)

See for yourself how easy a fully integrated automated sales tax
solution can be one that is always up to date and provides
everything your company needs to be fully compliant and avoid
audit risks.

Download the 30 Day Free Trial >>

http://aj.600z.com/aj/91078/0/cc?z=1&b=91079&c=91077

======================================================================

AP Updates Attribution Guidelines, Links Not Mentioned
Chris Crum | Staff Writer

The Associated Press has revealed some new guidelines for its
reporters with regards to credit and attribution. The guidelines
come in the form of a letter from AP Senior Managing Editor Mike
Oreskes.

–

Thoughts on the AP’s guidelines?
Let’s hear them: http://www.webpronews.com/node/55723/talk

======================================================================

FiOS Internet + Phone from Verizon – Speed Up Your Business!
Get the speed, the reliability and the applications you need
to get the most from the Web.

BONUS: Get Verizon Websites powered by Inuit for 1 year!

Learn more >>

http://aj.600z.com/aj/91049/0/cc?z=1&b=91047&c=91048

======================================================================

The guidelines apply to AP reports in print, broadcast, and online
news, and stress the importance of giving proper attribution to
other publications that break stories.

„We should provide attribution whether the other organization is a
newspaper, website, broadcaster or blog; whether or not it’s U.S.
based; and whether or not it’s an AP member or subscriber,“ writes
Oreskes. „This policy applies to all reports in all media, from
short pieces, such as NewsNows and initial broadcast reports, to
longer pieces aimed at print publication.“

Oreskes says attribution doesn’t have to be at the beginning of a
story, and that sometimes it can be two or three paragraphs down.

„If some information comes from another organization and some is
ours, we should credit ourselves for what’s ours and the other
organization for what’s theirs,“ he writes, adding that if material
from another source turns out to be wrong, that will be cited in
corrections later. (emphasis added)

======================================================================

Increase natural search traffic with Conductor Searchlight

The world’s best marketers rely on Conductor Searchlight to manage
their Natural Search initiatives and increase web traffic on Google,
Yahoo and Bing.

Discover Searchlight Today!

http://aj.600z.com/aj/90823/0/cc?z=1&b=90822&c=90821

======================================================================

The AP is one organization that has famously expressed disdain with
blogs in the past (ones that quoted AP stories and gave credit),
and was cited among various other publications earlier this year
by Danny Sullivan as one that failed to credit where it got its
information (most likely his article, at least somewhere in the
chain) about a particular story.

It is interesting however that these guidelines appear to suggest
that its reporters can freely do what the AP has in the past
complained about others doing – using snippets of content. Now,
the guidelines don’t exactly say anything about using „snippets“,
but it’s either that, rewriting, or regurgitating something that’s
already been discussed elsewhere (even with some additional original
content added). Am I wrong? It’s a matter of fair use, and the AP’s
stance on fair use in the past has basically been that there isn’t
any when it comes to the AP’s content. Is it a double standard?
Clearly, this is admission that the AP has participated in this
same type of reporting.

=====================================================================
Yahoo-Microsoft Transition’s Impact on SEO
Watch Now: http://videos.webpronews.com/?p=10775
=====================================================================

It’s good to know that they’re recognizing that this is just part
of how it works in this age of online news, but you still have to
wonder what side of the fence they come down on with regards to
their own content. I guess we’ll see if AP reporters abide by these
guidelines and whether or not the AP attacks anybody for using the
same methods with AP content.

The whole thing is very related to the AP’s stance on search engines
and aggregators as well. These sites do, after all, provide snippets,
links, and credit to the sources. The AP just reignited a deal with
Google, by the way.

While stressing the importance of attribution, Oreskes does also
make a note of telling reporters not to use other sources so much
that it appears they’re „free riding“ on another organization’s
work, and stresses matching or further development of the story.

======================================================================

Attend a FREE webinar & learn how to protect your business

http://aj.600z.com/aj/91078/0/cc?z=1&b=91076&c=91077

======================================================================

What is not mentioned once in the guidelines is the word „link“.
There is no mention of linking whatsoever. It is unclear whether
linking is included it in the proper attribution described or
whether they deem simple credit to be sufficient. While obviously
you can’t link in print or broadcast (one reason why online
content is more valuable to readers), linking has become commonly
looked upon as necessary to attribution in online news, so those
who deserve credit for breaking a story can in turn get traffic
to that story.

The letter does say that it will continue to use „information
from“ lines with URLs, but that attribution should be in the body
of the story as well. However, it is unclear whether or not this
attribution will actually include links.

It will be interesting to see how the AP proceeds in this regard.
Without links, the organization is setting itself up for a great
deal of criticism.

=====================================================================
For ad details and prices… mailto:susan@ientry.com
=====================================================================
Signup for free newsletters: http://www.ientry.com/page/newsletters
=====================================================================
— WebProNews is an iEntry.com publication —

http://www.iEntry.com

iEntry, Inc. 2549 Richmond Rd Second Floor Lexington, KY 40509
====================================================================

To unsubscribe from future WebProNews newsletters reply to
this message or email support@ientry.com with „unsubscribe
admin@italauto-bg.net from 863″ in the subject.