Let's Play: Is It News?
This is an exciting new game—One which the Associated (w/t) Press probably does not want us to play while our parents are away.
A couple of photos were run on their service today of a man who was "planning" to execute a dastardly act of "civil disobedience." And, for all of his plans, he's hoping to risk "arrest." The AP photographer puts it thusly:
You know, in a striking parallel, I'm sitting here thinking about engaging in an act of violating the AP's copyright.* It could be today, it could be next week. But I'm sitting here thinking about doing it.
Does that make my present non-actions newsworthy? Hardly.
So why, then, does the AP feel so compelled to spend time treating Mr. Barron's as yet uncompleted actions as if they were newsworthy?
Could it be that the AP editorial desk is trying to sell you on a viewpoint, rather than simply reporting the news that the "Press" is supposed to be reporting?
Feel free to chime in in the comments, if you're playing along at home.
A couple of photos were run on their service today of a man who was "planning" to execute a dastardly act of "civil disobedience." And, for all of his plans, he's hoping to risk "arrest." The AP photographer puts it thusly:
Jim Barron, 80, says he plans to risk arrest Wednesday, March 19, 2008 by engaging in an act of civil disobedience to protest the 5th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. Barron, seen here during an interview at his home in New Haven, Conn., Thursday, March 13, 2008, says although he has participated an several protests he has never been arrested. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
You know, in a striking parallel, I'm sitting here thinking about engaging in an act of violating the AP's copyright.* It could be today, it could be next week. But I'm sitting here thinking about doing it.
Does that make my present non-actions newsworthy? Hardly.
So why, then, does the AP feel so compelled to spend time treating Mr. Barron's as yet uncompleted actions as if they were newsworthy?
Could it be that the AP editorial desk is trying to sell you on a viewpoint, rather than simply reporting the news that the "Press" is supposed to be reporting?
Feel free to chime in in the comments, if you're playing along at home.
* Disclaimer: Have no fear, AP legal staff—I have absolutely no intention of doing any such thing, and still treat your copyright with the sanctity it deserves. I am merely describing the hypothetical thought of doing so in an effort to illustrate the sheer ridiculousness of your wire's editorial actions with respect to Jim Barron's as-of-yet non-news.
