Monday Note

Would it makes sense for Google to buy AP? Yes, says a contributor to Wired.Com. AP is a non-profit cooperative with 1500 members, many of them on the verge of extinction. (See the latest’s figures form the New York Times which is bleeding ad revenue at a yearly rate of 13%), or the terrible situation of Tribune Co.

Google, by comparison is in excellent health and needs content. In August 2006, it agreed to pay for AP stories appearing on Google News (except for Agence France Presse, everyone else is giving abstracts for free). Starting from this, buying such a news gathering capability would make sense. At least it is much cheaper and way more tangible than any social network.

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