The Associated Press (AP) is one of the most influential news organizations in the world. AP provides news feeds to newspapers, radio and TV stations, websites and other media on a constant basis. More than 1,700 American newspapers and 5,000 radio and TV stations publish AP stories every day.
So it's extremely important to build relations with AP reporters - and hold them accountable when they make mistakes.
AP's reporters are a mixed bag. They range from top-notch professionals to political hacks. Consequently, AP reporting is uneven. Hurried AP editors, crashing to crank out stories ahead of the competition, are known to put misleading headlines on the articles of their correspondence. This has been the case with articles about Blackwater. Lazy and shoddy editorial work on the AP side often translates into misleading headlines on the subscribing newspapers' and websites' sides, where a second layer of rushed editors, in too much of a hurry to read the stories they approve for publication, simply recycle the AP headline.
AP frequently updates its articles, adding information and making corrections at any time of the day.
AP doesn't hold itself to the same standards of access and accountability that it demands of the public. In its own words, "Individual phone numbers and e-mail addresses [of AP writers and editors] are not available to the public."
To point out inaccuracies, request corrections of fact or bias, or send letters to the editor, send an email to this general address: info@ap.org. This email address does not accept attachments.
Most of AP's Blackwater reporting is done by its bureaus in North Carolina and Washington, DC. Here's their contact information:
AP Raleigh Bureau
4800 Six Forks Rd, Suite 210,
Raleigh NC 27609-5245
(919) 510-8937
(866) 883-1272 Toll Free (NC & SC)
(919) 783-9184 Fax
AP Washington, DC Bureau
2021 K St. NW, 6th Floor
Washington DC 20006-1082
(202) 776-9400
(202) 776-9570 Fax/Newsroom
AP Washington (BNC) BROADCAST SERVICES
1825 K St. NW, Room 615
Washington DC 20006-1253
(202) 736-1100 Admin
(202) 736-1124 Fax/Admin
APTN
(202) 736-9585
(202) 736-9619 Fax
To send news releases and corrections by mail, write to the respective National Desk or International Desk at The Associated Press, 450 W. 33rd St., New York, NY 10001. Telephone: 212-621-1500.
