AP: Britney’s kindofabigdeal
Don Day January 10th, 2008
Romenesko has the internal AP memo from LA bureau chief Frank Baker declaring “Britney” (who has been given one name status in the note) a big deal:
Now and for the foreseeable future, virtually everything involving Britney is a big deal. That doesn’t mean every rumor makes it on the wire. But it does mean that we want to pay attention to what others are reporting and seek to confirm those stories that WE feel warrant the wire. And when we determine that we’ll write something, we must expedite it.
So not only are they going to be on “Britney watch” - but they’re just going to wait for TMZ, et al to lead so they can follow?
6 Comments Add your own
1. Safran | January 11th, 2008 at 5:59 am
And they say the internet’s responsible for killing journalism…
2. Rick | January 11th, 2008 at 8:31 am
It’s hard for me to fault the AP, since every cable news channel is obsessed with Spears and celeb gossip. As is every major media outlet online and just about every traditional news outlet. AP is traditionally very slow on entertainment and gossip news, so I’m sure they’re feeling pressure from their clients.
Let’s face it, we’re all crack whores when it comes to Britney Spears. We tell ourselves that it’s terrible that news organizations care about this stuff, then we savor every twist and turn of her life and work to get it into our news product.
Referencing some sleazy story with the phrase “TMZ is reporting” doesn’t protect your journalistic integrity. It just shows that you want the traffic and/or ratings celeb news provides without dirtying your hands.
3. tdc | January 11th, 2008 at 8:40 am
aka anna nicole smith reruns.
we already know the ending unfortunately.
4. Ed | January 11th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Remember when the AP covered news?
5. Rob | January 11th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Shoulda filed this under Very Bad Ideas Don …
6. Tim | January 11th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
But they can make millions, millions I tell you, if they can get another pantiless shot onto the wire!
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