On February 19th you’ll remember I challenged the AP’s Nairobi, Kenya

Bureau Chief to take a close look at the reporting on mercury coming out of her bureau. If I could be so presumptuous to characterize my outreach to her, I would say I was thorough and courteous yet firm in expressing our concerns. That was nine days ago and today when I reached out to her I got an out of office memo saying she’d be gone until March 9th.

Pehaps our concerns are not a priority for her.

When we sent a similar letter to the AP in San Francisco regarding some problematic reporting out of that bureau it took a mere three days for them to review and correct the record. I wonder what the hold up is with our friends in Nairobi?

More on this to come I’m sure. The latest letter is below:

February 27, 2009

Elizabeth Kennedy

Associated Press

Nairobi, Kenya

Bureau Chief

VIA Email

Dear Ms. Kennedy,

I am writing to request a response to my February 19th letter that sought to draw your attention to some violations of basic journalism standards found in Tom Maliti’s February 18th report on the gathering of environmental ministers in Nairobi, Kenya.

While my letter was lengthy and thorough, my sincere hope is that you would review it in a timely manner and or refer my concerns about the original article to the proper editor for an appraisal.

I should note that we recently worked with the Associated Press’ San Francisco bureau on a similar correction and it took them 3 days to review my concerns and issue a correction. It is with this expedient and diligent history in mind that I write you enquiring about the status of my correspondence.

Please find attached my original letter as well. Thank you for your continued attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Gavin Gibbons

National Fisheries Institute

cc: John Daniszewski

International News Managing Editor

Kathleen Carroll

Executive Editor