AP fires back at Raw Story over accusations of plagiarism; Statement contradicts their own source's account...
To: RawStory.com
From: Linda Wagner, AP's Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs:
The Raw Story assertion that AP plagiarized and then admitted it is absolutely false. The AP story in question, on new U.S. policies that could increase security clearance hurdles for gay employees, came to AP as a tip from an advocacy group. AP then did independent reporting and found the policy document on the National Archives web site, www.archives.gov/isoo/, which was included in the original AP story. We were not aware of the Raw Story work until the following afternoon when someone from Raw Story called.
An AP spokesman did tell Raw Story that AP does not credit blogs, but he was mistaken. AP does credit blogs when we are aware that they have broken a story first. The spokesman then called Raw Story back to correct his misstatement. Raw Story seems to have taken that correction as an admission of plagiarism, which it emphatically is not.
To: The Associated Press
From: John Byrne, Executive Editor of Raw Story
First, let me be clear. I was ready to let this go. But AP's latest statement is factually inaccurate, and frankly, outrageous.
more at:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Associated_Press_releases_statement_about_Raw_0404.html