“Google is in the process of removing French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) from its Google News service, which aggregates links to online articles and accompanying photos from about 4500 news outlets…” MORE BELOW
As you know, we discussed this last week. This panics me. We need all the worldwide alternative media sources we can get. I wish AFP would reconsider, or work something out with Google. And, most disturbing, I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come. We’ve all heard rumblings about NYT and other papers charging to view their stories.
Reports PC World:
Google doesn’t have a timetable for when all AFP links and content will be removed from Google News, but the company is actively working on the matter, Langdon said.
“We allow publishers to opt out of Google News. Most, however, want to be included in Google News because they believe it’s a benefit to them and their readers,” Langdon added, reading from a prepared statement.
Background
AFP sued Mountain View, California-based Google in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday of last week. The news agency is seeking to recover damages of at least $17.5 million from Google. AFP also asks the court to forbid Google from including its content in Google News. …