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When the Associated Press busted a little-known website for posting excerpts from AP stories, the blogosphere responded with indignation. After all, appropriating content with a link back to its source is common practice. Media scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan looks at the ongoing battle between blogs and the mainstream media.
What the hell? News sites generate ad revenue from web hits, and that's exactly what bloggers provide. If not for my favorite news blog, I simply wouldn't get my news from the web as much. How is the AP not cutting its own throat here?
This was a fascinating look at the issue of blog use of newspaper and wire service material. However, Mr. Vaidhyanathan should note that a lede and a nut graf are not necessarily the same thing.
The AP, like many giant corporate media behemoths, doesn't seem to be able to connect with the business model for the web. F-R-E-E. Owning the rights to content is no longer a viable business model. Sorry AP - the rules have changed.
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