Yahoo and AP, sitting in a tree...well, you know the rest.
There's been a lot of talk - and evidence - about how the DC bureau of the AP has it in for Obama. But, do you know that Yahoo features this AP drivel prominently on the featured news section of their homepage?
We might not be able to stop AP. But, we can sure help stop the dissemination of the AP Washington DC bureau propaganda.
Yahoo picks up and publishes this AP drivel right on their home page.
This morning, they had this picture of Obama along with following text, front and center, in the featured news section of their home page.
Obama's prime-time ad gets fact checked
What Obama's ad left out
Barack Obama's assertions and promises get a closer look.
» Budget realities examined
Nice picture, huh? Why choose a picture of Obama in mid-sentence? Because it makes him look confused rather than confident. This is the kind of picture I'd expect from a "fair and balanced" news source, not an "impartial" news source.
I'm not sure who picked out the picture, Yahoo or AP. Either way, they're both responsible for the tone this unflattering portrait conveys.
Luckily for us, there are a couple of things we can do about this kind of thinly veiled slap. Yahoo depends on our clicks (often referred to as "eyeballs" in the web advertising industry) for their revenue. More "eyeballs", more money. So, let's hit Yahoo in it's pocketbook.
Here's how:
- Stop using Yahoo until they stop using AP
- Dump Yahoo as your browser's home page (may I suggest Daily Kos as a replacement)
- Stop using Yahoo toolbars and widgets until they stop using AP
- Write to Yahoo at Yahoo Investor Relations (sure, we could write other departments, but this will get the fastest response. Hit 'em in their pocketbook!)
Yahoo has a choice. They do not have to use AP as a news source. They do not have to prominently feature the AP's DC bureau drivel prominently, if at all. There are other sources of news out there. Some are actually impartial, too.
We have a choice, too. We do not have to use Yahoo until they change their editorial policy and news outlets. Until they do, we can and should put our "eyeballs" to use on other web sites.